Courbet died at La Tour-de-Peilz , Switzerland , on 31 December 1877 , one day before the first payment was due . He was 58 and died of liver disease , made worse by heavy drinking . On 31 December 1877 , a day before the payment of the first installment was due , Courbet died , age 58 , in La Tour-de-Peilz , Switzerland , of a liver disease aggravated by heavy drinking .