Portrait of Mr. and Mrs. Auguste Manet
- Original dimensions
- 93 x 111.5 cm
- Museum
- Musée d'Orsay
- Year
- 1860
Scene depicted
The painting “Portrait of Mr. and Mrs. Auguste Manet” depicts the two key figures of the artist, revealing an intimacy of rare depth. Evoking the modernity of the time, this painting testifies to Manet's love and respect for his models, immersing them in an elegant setting symbolizing their era.
Historical context
Created in 1860 in Paris, this iconic painting is part of the realism movement, a time when the artist freed himself from academic constraints to capture the essence of everyday life. Today, this priceless work rests in the Musée d'Orsay, a temple of impressionism and 19th-century masters, where its striking dimensions of 93 x 111.5 cm allow for deep and immersive contemplation.
Place in the artist's career
This masterpiece stands as one of the milestones of Manet's career, witnessing the emergence of his genius. In parallel with other works such as “Luncheon on the Grass” and “Olympia,” this painting reveals a pronounced stylistic evolution, where boldness and convention intertwine.
Anecdote
“The truth of man lies in his gaze.” Édouard Manet may have declared this phrase one spring morning in Montmartre, inspired by the delicate light filtering through the foliage. This quote resonates in the evocative power of the portrait , where each exchanged glance between Mr. and Mrs. Manet seems to narrate a forgotten story.
Major exhibitions
Salon of 1861