Édouard Manet (1832-1883) was a pivotal French painter who played a foundational role in the transition from Realism to Impressionism. Born in Paris, Manet’s audacious approach to both subject matter and technique often courted controversy but also paved the way for subsequent modern movements in painting.
Manet’s style, while rooted in Realism, incorporated loose brushwork and a novel treatment of light that would become characteristic of Impressionism. Yet, he never fully aligned himself with the Impressionist movement. His compositions often challenged the artistic conventions of his day, both in technique and in subject matter. Works like “Luncheon on the Grass” and “Olympia” are emblematic of his defiant stance against traditional academic art, sparking scandal due to their frankness and modernity.
Drawing inspiration from everyday life, Spanish masters like Velázquez and Goya, as well as contemporaneous events and literature, Manet’s works engage in a dialogue with the social and political currents of his time. They often offer a subtle critique or reflection on modern Parisian life, especially in its bourgeois and bohemian aspects.
Artists with similar styles or those influenced by Manet include Claude Monet, Berthe Morisot, and Edgar Degas. All these artists, while having their unique approaches, shared a common interest in capturing the immediacy of the moment and breaking away from the established norms of art.
Édouard Manet’s revolutionary approach to painting, his bold challenges to the status quo, and his undeniable influence on the Impressionist movement have cemented his legacy as one of the giants of 19th-century art.
Useful Links
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Édouard_Manet
https://www.wikiart.org/en/edouard-manet
