Written between November 1872 and April 1873, these letters remained hidden for more than a century due to their explicitly erotic nature. Yet they uncover a previously unknown side of Courbet, merging art and sensuality, offering scholars and art enthusiasts an intimate and fascinating glimpse into one of realism’s greatest masters.
Late 2023, three employees of the Municipal Library of Besançon were searching for documents in the attic when they stumbled upon a stack of “old papers,” accompanied by a cryptic note referencing “scandalous” letters by a famous artist. Upon closer inspection, they unearthed one of the most sensational historical discoveries in years: a trove of 25 letters from Gustave Courbet and 91 letters from Mathilde Carly de Svazzema.
A handwritten note revealed that these intimate letters had been entrusted to the library between 1900 and 1920, where they were secretly preserved for over a century. Passed discreetly from curator to curator, the collection was meant to remain hidden from public view. Yet fate had other plans, offering the world a rare chance to delve into the private life of Gustave Courbet.
The 116 letters exchanged between Courbet and Mathilde from 1872 to 1873 reveal a little-known, deeply personal side of the painter. Blending passion, poetry, and raw sensuality, they offer a heady mix of lyricism, boldness, and tenderness. Courbet’s writing, typically reserved for describing his artwork, is uninhibited here, laying bare desires and emotions with a vividness reminiscent of his most celebrated paintings. Some letters are so explicit that even today, their content may leave readers blushing.
This correspondence is invaluable on many levels. It unveils an intimate, passionate side of Courbet, who is often remembered for his provocative works but whose love life remains less explored. The letters also enhance the scholarly understanding of his art, offering insights into his philosophy and how he perceived human emotions, which were central to his depictions of the body and the soul. This unique collection may even inspire fresh interpretations of his paintings, particularly his approach to female nudes, which he considered a mirror of his own emotions.
From March 21 to September 21, 2025, the library will host the exhibition “Courbet: The Hidden Letters – The Story of a Rediscovered Treasure.”
