Gustave Courbet was a French painter who played a pivotal role in the development of the Realism movement in the 19th century. He is best known for his bold and unidealized depictions of everyday life, challenging the conventions of academic art and focusing on the lives of ordinary people. Courbet's most famous works include The Stone Breakers and A Burial at Ornans, which showcase his commitment to portraying reality without embellishment. His innovative approach not only influenced his contemporaries but also laid the groundwork for future movements such as Impressionism and Modernism.