What is the largest sharp print size for A Brook in a Clearing (possibly "Brook, Valley of Fontcouverte; Study")?

At 300 dpi, this 3,915 × 3,186 px file prints up to 13.1 × 10.6 in with gallery-sharp detail. At 150 dpi the file reaches 26.1 × 21.2 in, which is poster-sharp quality.

Which standard frame sizes give gallery-sharp prints of A Brook in a Clearing (possibly "Brook, Valley of Fontcouverte; Study")?

Gallery-sharp (300 dpi or above) frame sizes: 10 × 8 in. Sharp-to-poster-quality sizes also work: 14 × 11 in, 16 × 12 in, 20 × 16 in, 24 × 18 in.

A Brook in a Clearing (possibly "Brook, Valley of Fontcou… — Gustave Courbet | Free high-res download

Q: Does printing A Brook in a Clearing (possibly "Brook, Valley of Fontcouverte; Study") require cropping the image?

Standard frame aspect ratios may not match this artwork exactly; depending on the size chosen, up to 18% of the image could be cropped. Most print-on-demand services let you adjust the crop position or add a white mat border instead.

A Brook in a Clearing (possibly "Brook, Valley of Fontcouverte; Study")

Gustave Courbet · probably 1862 · The Met, New York

Public domain · CC0 · $0.003,915 × 3,186 px · 12.5 MP

Prints gallery-sharp up to13.1 × 10.6 inat 300 dpi, uncropped · poster-sharp to 26.1 × 21.2 in at 150 dpi

The download is the Met's own open-access file, served by the Met. Big file — give it a minute.

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How big can you print it?

Standard frame sizes, turned to match the artwork. "Crops" is how much of the picture you lose filling that frame edge to edge — or keep it all and let a mat take up the difference.

Frame	Effective dpi	Verdict	Crops
10 × 8 in	391	Gallery sharp	2%
14 × 11 in	279	Sharp up close	3%
16 × 12 in	244	Sharp up close	8%
20 × 16 in	195	Poster sharp	2%
24 × 18 in	163	Poster sharp	8%
36 × 24 in	108	Fine across a room	18%
40 × 30 in	97	Too soft	8%

Will it fit over your couch? Put this one on your wall, to scale — crop or mat, frame size, hang height and the order.

The ticket

A Brook in a Clearing (possibly "Brook, Valley of Fontcouverte; Study") is a painting by Gustave Courbet (French, Ornans 1819–1877 La Tour-de-Peilz), dated probably 1862. Oil on canvas. Size on the museum record: 20 3/4 x 25 1/2 in. (52.7 x 64.8 cm). The Metropolitan Museum of Art holds it in its European Paintings collection — From the Collection of James Stillman, Gift of Dr. Ernest G. Stillman, 1922.

The Met catalogs A Brook in a Clearing (possibly "Brook, Valley of Fontcouverte; Study") as an oil on canvas by Gustave Courbet. The museum dates it probably 1862 (accession 22.16.15, European Paintings). The subject is a view, and the eye travels from the foreground to the distance; give it wall space so that route stays readable. The Met's scan measures 3,915 × 3,186 pixels, which prints about 13.1 × 10.6 in at 300 dpi and 26.1 × 21.2 in at a still-comfortable 150 dpi. Because it runs wide, it wants a horizontal frame; check the crop percentage for each size before you commit. Its golden tones pair naturally with a gold or walnut frame, or go black for a sharper, more modern contrast. Paintings reproduce best on matte paper, since gloss throws glare across exactly the brushwork you came for. Light it from above with a soft warm bulb, hang the centre of the picture near 57 inches, and it will read as intended instead of as decoration.

The Met released its scan under CC0, which means no permission, no fee and no credit line required. That file is 3,915 × 3,186 pixels — 12.5 megapixels — good for a gallery-sharp print up to 13.1 × 10.6 in. The painting itself measures about 25.5 × 20.7 in, so a true life-size print runs below 300 dpi — still sharp at normal viewing distance.Paintings reproduce best on matte paper. Gloss throws glare across exactly the brushwork you came for, and a picture light does more for a print than any upgrade in paper.