Edouard Manet Battle of the Kearsarge and the Alabama 1864 Realism Manet was a leading figure in the Realist movement. He believed that the world around him provided inspiration and subject matter for his artistic expression. He rejected the realm of fantasy and exoticism that was fancied by the Romanticists of his day. What do you think? Should artists rely on the physical world for artistic inspiration or should they delve into the realm of fantasy? How might an artist reconcile the two philosophies?
When Manet submitted this work to the salon, (the official exhibit of the Academy) it was soundly rejected for its combination of nude and clothed figures. Manet intended this work as a manifesto of artistic prowess incorporating a variety of traditional subject matter (still-life, landscape, nude and clothed figures) into a single work that is inspired by classical compositions. Do you think that the combination of nude and clothed figures crosses the line separating art and obscenity? Edouard Manet Le Dejeuner sur L'Herbe (Luncheon on the Grass) 1863 Realism
Edouard Manet Lilacs in a Vase 1882 Realism Many of Manet’s critics condemned him for his painting style saying that is was barbaric and unrefined. Manet believed that “overworking” the colors would eliminate any sense of natural spontaneity to the work. This style allowed him to leave brush strokes and “patches of color” that seemed to have no form whatsoever? What do you think of his painting style? Is it too rough and unrefined or do these qualities make the work better? Explain.
Some historians say that Manet was the first artist who made us look at the surface of the canvas as an object of art itself rather than simply seeing the canvas as a window into another time or place. What do you think they meant by this? Explain. Edouard Manet The Bar at the Folies-Bergeres 1881-82 Realism
Edouard Manet Portrait d'Emile Zola 1868 Realism Manet’s portraits are often meant to represent the total personality of the individual. He incorporates aspects of the person’s individual personality into the artwork. What does Manet tell us about this individual? What clues does he place in the image to help us better understand this individual?