In Portrait de Zélie Courbet, we see a woman, Zélie, depicted with a soft expression. The colors are warm, with rich browns and subtle greens in the background. Zélie is dressed in a dark dress, which contrasts with her pale skin.

The light falls gently on her face, highlighting her features and creating a sense of intimacy. The painting is executed in oil on canvas, showcasing Courbet's skill in realism. The brushwork is detailed, particularly in the rendering of Zélie's facial features and hair. The composition is balanced, with Zélie's figure positioned slightly off-center, drawing the viewer's eye.

The dimensions are approximately 65 x 81 cm, making it a medium-sized portrait. Gustave Courbet, a leading figure in the Realism movement, painted this portrait in the 1860s. Zélie Courbet was his companion and model, and this work reflects both his personal life and artistic philosophy. An interesting fact about this painting is that it captures not just her likeness but also the emotional depth of the subject.

This piece is part of the collection at the Musée d'Orsay in Paris.