“Woman with a Parrot” is an oil on canvas artwork by Gustave Courbet dating back to 1866. The piece exemplifies the Realism art movement and is regarded as a nude painting, measuring 129.5 by 195.6 cm. Currently, it resides in the Metropolitan Museum of Art located in New York City, NY, US.
The artwork portrays a reclining nude female figure lying on a white drapery which contrasts with her pale, luminous flesh. The woman’s body is rendered with a naturalistic approach, showcasing Courbet’s mastery of light and shadow to sculpt the form. Her torso is twisted, allowing her face to turn towards the viewers, while her arms are outstretched above her head, with her right hand reaching out in a gentle manner. Gracefully draped across her form, the linen subtly covers her lower body, while the dark, rich tones of her cascading hair spread out around her head.
A colorful parrot, with vivid blue and green hues, is depicted mid-flight, approaching the woman’s outstretched hand, thereby creating a lively interaction between the human and avian subject. To the right side of the painting, a dark, dense foliage provides a backdrop, with only a brass perch partially visible, cutting a stark, vertical line against the darker tones of the background, hinting at a domesticated setting despite the naturalistic representation of the woman. The overall composition, the use of light, color, and texture, and the choice of subject matter all heighten the artwork’s sensual and intimate feel, resonating with the Realist intent of depicting the human figure and form with honesty and unidealized clarity.
