Gustave Courbet

Probably Juliette Courbet, the artist’s sister (a gift from the artist, before his departure into exile in Switzerland in 1873)
Probably, Dr Jules Lequime (sale: Salle des Congrès, Brussels, 4-5 April 1892, lot 17)
Mr Vanderkelen (acquired from the above)
Acquired by the present owner in 2000

Ornans, Musée Courbet, Cet obscur objet de désirs, autour de l’origine du monde, 2014, illustrated in the catalogue

Probably, Robert Fernier, Catalogue raisonné de l’œuvre de Gustave Courbet, Paris, 1977, vol. II, p. 324, n.n., catalogued (as La Source du Lison, dated 1864, measurements 61 by 51cm, whereabouts unknown)

The canvas has been lined. Apart from some strokes of retouching towards the lower right corner, probably addressing an old restoration, and some other minor scattered spots of cosmetic retouching, the work is in good overall condition and ready to hang. Presented in a decorative gilt frame.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

This work most likely dates from 1864, when Courbet painted an extensive series of works dedicated to the sources of the Loue and Lison rivers. Taken together with the depictions of the Puits-Noir and Grotte Sarrazine, these works form what has been described as the 'culmination of of the artist's fascination for the geology of his home region, and the aesthetic apotheosis of the subject in his oeuvre' (Laurence des Cars, in Gustave Courbet, exh. cat., Paris, 2007, p. 266).

Depicting the Lison, a tributary of the Loue which rises in Nans-sous-Sainte-Anne in Franche-Comté, the composition in the present work is very similar to a larger work catalogued by Robert Fernier (no. 402, measuring 91 by 73cm). Having been painted in what Fernier describes as 'conditions difficiles' and damaged, Courbet painted a second version of the subject measuring 54 by 45cm (Fernier no. 403). The emergence of the present work onto the market therefore brings to a total of three this series of related oils depicting this subject.