Édouard Manet
Édouard Manet was a French artist who lived from 1832 to 1883 who helped bridge the art movement from Realism to Impressionism. His work was particularly modern, not only for his style (rough brushwork and realistic lighting), but also for the subjects he painted, modern people in modern settings.
Manet was born in Paris to a wealthier family. His father initially wanted him to have a more traditional career, either as a lawyer or in the military. However, Manet’s Uncle created in him a love for art. By 1850, after some setbacks with other career pursuits, his father finally approved of Manet’s desire to pursue art. Between 1850 and 1856, Manet studied under the French history and Academic artist, Thomas Couture. Besides his art apprenticeship, Manet developed his skill by copying the masters in the Louvre and studying abroad in Spain and Italy. His early work had more loose brush strokes than the artists of the day which. Though it was criticized by art critics, it inspired many of his peers, including Émile Zola.
Manet painted one of his first masterpieces, “The Luncheon on the Grass”, in 1863, when he was 31 years old. This piece is considered by many to be the first modern art painting. Though this painting was rejected by the Paris Salon in 1863, it was accepted and shown at the Salon des Refusés the following year. This is when Manet’s preoccupation with the concept of leisure and social events started to dominate the subject of his paintings.
In the 1860s, Manet befriended the group of artists who would soon join together to start the Impressionism art movement. He formed a close friendship with fellow artist, Berthe Morisot. Morisot is the one who convinced Manet to try plein air painting. Unlike the other burgeoning impressionists of his day, Manet still preferred to exhibit at the Paris Salon. He did not want to be associated with any one art movement. He wasn’t immune to their style, however, and from his friendships with the Impressionists, in addition to plein air, his color palette lightened. Ultimately, however, Manet still preferred working in the studio. Manet is credited with creating the alla prima painting technique. The alla prima technique is when dark, opaque paints are applied to a light background. This allowed Manet to paint an entire piece in a single sitting.
Manet’s health deteriorated in his 40s as a result of syphilis, which many artists of the day suffered from. Health complications and gangrene forced him to get his left foot amputated. Édouard Manet died just 11 days later at age 51.
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