Courbet chose an artistic career outside the academic sphere. This meant, among other things, poorer opportunities for financial support i.e. scholarships and reaching out with his art. Early on, he realized the importance of drawing attention to himself. He did this both in private and as an artist, including participating in the Salon, with self-portraits, where he takes on various roles, like a violin player. The portrait was shown at the 1848 Paris Salon.