Édouard Manet

Édouard Manet (born January 23, 1832, in Paris, France – died April 30, 1883, in Paris, France) was one of the most influential and revolutionary painters in the history of Western art. Often considered a precursor to the Impressionist movement, Manet’s work marked a dramatic departure from traditional academic art, challenging conventions and pushing the boundaries of representation. His innovative approach to color, form, and subject matter fundamentally altered the trajectory of art in the 19th century and set the stage for the radical changes in art that followed.
 
Manet's willingness to break from academic tradition and to embrace modern subjects was part of his larger commitment to realism. Unlike his contemporaries, such as the romantic painters or the academic historical painters, Manet sought to depict modern life in all its facets—urban scenes, daily life, and the burgeoning industrial city of Paris. His work focused on contemporary subjects, such as cafés, concerts, and the bustling life of Parisian society, rather than the idealized figures of classical mythology or history. His subjects were the everyday people of Paris—artists, musicians, dancers, and ordinary citizens—who had long been ignored by academic painting. In doing so, Manet helped to elevate the mundane and the everyday, turning it into a legitimate subject for fine art.

Details

Technique: Engraving
9 cm x 10 cm