Charles Bargue was a French painter and lithographer noted for devising an influential drawing course.

Published between 1866 and 1876 by Goupil & Cie, comprised 197 lithographs printed as individual sheets, the course was intended to guide students from plaster casts, to the study of great master drawings, and finally to drawing from the living model.

The Charles Bargue Drawing Course is used by many academies and ateliers which focus on Classical Realism.

Bargue worked closely with Gérôme and was influenced by his style, which included Orientalist scenes and historical genre.

He travelled extensively through North Africa, and the Balkans, during which time he executed many portraits of local people with meticulous detail.