Which painting by Gustave Courbet was considered so provocative that it was hidden behind a curtain by its first owner?
L'Origine du monde
"The Origin of the World" by Gustave Courbet, painted in 1866, is a bold work that features a close-up of female genitalia. This painting shocked the contemporary audience with its raw realism and taboo subject matter. Its first owner, the Ottoman diplomat Khalil-Bey, even chose to conceal it behind a green curtain, revealing it only to select guests. Long kept out of public view, this work was eventually exhibited to the public and is now recognized as a masterpiece of realist art, celebrated for its courageous exploration of human sexuality and intimacy.
