The Sea at Palavas
by COURBET, Gustave, Oil on canvas, 27 x 46 cm
In 1854 Courbet stayed with Bruyas In Montpellier. His great painting Bonjour Monsieur Courbet seals their friendship and collaboration. It was at this point that he had the idea of a huge composition showing his rue Hautefeuille studio and decided that he should return to Ornans. Before leaving he paid homage to his environment by painting himself as a little dot set against the immensity of the Mediterranean.