The Stonebreakers by Gustave Courbet (Dresden, Germany — 1849) — Questions and answers

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What sad thing happened to Courbet's famous painting, The Stonebreakers?

Choices

  1. It was sold for a very low price.
  2. It was stolen from a museum.
  3. It was destroyed during World War II. ✓
  4. It was hidden away and never shown again.

Answer: It was destroyed during World War II.

From page 1

What important lesson did Courbet's father teach him?

Choices

  1. To always paint flowers.
  2. To never forget the working people. ✓
  3. To only paint rich people.
  4. To live in a big city.

Answer: To never forget the working people.

From page 2

What did Courbet think was missing from the paintings of the Old Masters?

Choices

  1. Too many colors.
  2. Not enough animals.
  3. The truth and grit of real life. ✓
  4. Too many happy faces.

Answer: The truth and grit of real life.

From page 3

Why did the Paris Salon often reject Courbet's early paintings?

Choices

  1. They were too small.
  2. They showed ordinary people in a way that seemed too vulgar. ✓
  3. They were painted in secret.
  4. They were too funny.

Answer: They showed ordinary people in a way that seemed too vulgar.

From page 4

What inspired Courbet to paint The Stonebreakers?

Choices

  1. He saw two friends playing a game.
  2. He read a book about kings.
  3. He watched two men breaking stones for a road. ✓
  4. He dreamed about a beautiful garden.

Answer: He watched two men breaking stones for a road.

From page 5

Where did Courbet paint The Stonebreakers to make sure it looked real?

Choices

  1. In a cozy studio.
  2. Outdoors, near the quarry where the men worked. ✓
  3. From a photograph.
  4. In his imagination.

Answer: Outdoors, near the quarry where the men worked.

From page 6

What important idea did Courbet's art help teach future artists?

Choices

  1. To always paint superheroes.
  2. To use only bright colors.
  3. To reflect the realities of the world and speak truth through art. ✓
  4. To only paint pictures of famous people.

Answer: To reflect the realities of the world and speak truth through art.

From page 10