
Gustave CourbetFrance, 1819–1877Peut-on la contempler ?
Londres, Royaume-Uni
Le propriétaire est connu ; on ignore si l’œuvre est exposée aujourd’hui.
1872
“Sleep” becomes the subject of a police report
When “Sleep” was exhibited by a picture dealer in 1872, it became the subject of a police report.
1873
Leaves for Switzerland to escape the debt for the column
In 1873 the newly elected president of the Republic, Patrice de MacMahon, announced plans to rebuild the column at Courbet's expense. Unable to pay, he went into self-imposed exile in Switzerland to avoid bankruptcy and remained there until his death.
1873–1877
Swiss exhibitions and young followers
During his exile Courbet took part in Swiss regional and national exhibitions. Surveilled by the Swiss intelligence service, he enjoyed in the small Swiss art world the reputation of head of the “realist school” and inspired younger artists such as Auguste Baud-Bovy and Ferdinand Hodler.