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2026-09-22 06:12:39 UTC

Emeritus Prof. Christopher May on Nostr: My favourite paintings, no.51 Gustave Courbet, The Desperate Man (self-portrait) ...

My favourite paintings, no.51

Gustave Courbet, The Desperate Man (self-portrait) (1843-1845)

Gustave Courbet's fraught self-portrait has an emotional punch seldom equaled by any (self)portrait. In an age of heightened sensitivity to mental health issues, this painting seems to be his call to recognise (or acknowledge) his own inner struggles. It was one of Courbet's own favourite works staying with him for much of his life; perhaps telling him something about himself?

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