Portrait of Mademoiselle Claus
- Original dimensions
- 111 x 70 cm
- Movement
- impressionism
- Museum
- Ashmolean Museum
- Year
- 1868
Scene depicted
This iconic painting features Mademoiselle Claus, captured in a moment of serenity. Her delicate posture and thoughtful gaze transport us to a timeless universe. The painting does not merely record a face; it evokes a soul, a state of mind full of mystery.
Historical context
Created in the heart of the year 1868, in the charming town of Boulogne-sur-Mer, this canvas by Édouard Manet is part of the revolutionary impressionist movement. The flourishing artistic context of this era, marked by the alliance of light and color, attracts the greatest artists to transcend conventions.
Place in the artist's career
The Portrait de Mademoiselle Claus stands out in the career of Édouard Manet , representing a phase where his style evolves towards greater expressiveness. It dialogues with his previous works, such as Le Déjeuner sur l'herbe and Olympia , through a bold use of light and space.
Anecdote
“Every face has a story to tell, and every brushstroke reveals an emotion.” While strolling through the streets of Boulogne, Manet's gaze met that of Mademoiselle Claus, leading to an explosion of inspiration on that beautiful spring day.
Major exhibitions
National Gallery