Bouquet of flowers 

Gustave Courbet created this small oil painting, "Bouquet of Flowers," sometime in the mid-19th century. Notice how the composition is dominated by a cluster of flowers set against a dark, almost impenetrable background, creating a sense of intimacy. Courbet's thick brushstrokes give a tactile quality to the petals, contrasting with the smooth, undefined space around them. The flowers, mainly dark reds and a striking white blossom, invite semiotic interpretation. The dark reds are perhaps a challenge to traditional, idealized floral painting, bringing a sense of realism, while the white flower disrupts the uniformity, challenging conventional notions of beauty. Consider how Courbet's use of light and shadow does not merely depict but also destabilizes established meanings. The interplay between the textured flowers and the abstract background challenges the viewer to question fixed meanings. Instead, it opens a discourse on perception and representation. This tension is a key element in understanding Courbet's break from academic traditions.