Alphonse Promayet (1822–1872)

Promayet, a violinist who was a childhood friend and schoolmate of Courbet's, appears in several paintings by the artist. Here, he holds his instrument while adopting a soulful expression befitting a struggling musician. This picture served as the model for Promayet's likeness in The Painter’s Studio of 1855 (Musée d'Orsay, Paris). Courbet borrowed it back from the sitter, as he did many other portraits used for the life-size canvas.