From the artist's life
Olympia caused such fury at the 1865 Salon that guards had to protect it from visitors trying to attack the canvas.
Source: Wikipedia / WikimediaRealism
Édouard Manet
Édouard Manet (1832–1883) was the pivotal figure between Realism and Impressionism, whose scandalous modern subjects shattered academic convention. Olympia and the Déjeuner sur l'herbe outraged Paris and changed painting forever.
Though he never exhibited with the Impressionists, Manet was their inspiration and leader, the bridge to modern art.
- His Déjeuner sur l'herbe and Olympia scandalised Paris with frank, modern nudity.
- Bridged Realism and Impressionism, inspiring Monet, Degas and Renoir.
- Painted modern life — cafés, bars, city crowds — instead of myth and history.
Key works
Where to start
Complete list of key works
Works with a dedicated ArtAtlas page are highlighted in gold.
- A Bar at the Folies-Bergère SharonOn ArtAtlas
- Luncheon on the GrassOn ArtAtlas
- OlympiaOn ArtAtlas
- The BalconyListed for reference
- Music in the TuileriesListed for reference
- The FifListed for reference
- The Execution of Emperor MaximilianListed for reference
- The RailwayListed for reference
1882
A Bar at the Folies-Bergère Sharon
A Bar at the Folies-Bergère is a painting by Édouard Manet, considered to be his last major work. It was painted in 1882 and exhibited at the Paris Salon of that year. It depicts a scene in the Folies Bergère nightclub in Paris.
1863
Luncheon on the Grass
1863
Olympia
When Olympia was first shown at the 1865 Salon, critics called it "a gorilla" and a "playing card queen" — the public reaction was so violent that the Louvre had to station guards in front of it to stop people from attacking the canvas with their umbrellas.