The Departure of the Steamer from Folkstone
- Original dimensions
- 100 x 63 cm
- Museum
- Oskar Reinhart Museum « Am Römerholz »
- Year
- 1869
Scene depicted
In this painting, Manet captures the vibrant departure of a Folkstone steamer, a moment when passengers prepare to leave the shore for new lands. The canvas depicts a multitude of characters, their palpable excitement, as the steamer smokes, ready to set sail on the waves. It is a scene of transition, a frozen moment where time seems suspended between farewells and adventure.
Historical context
Work : Le départ du vapeur de Folkstone |BRK| Artist : Édouard Manet |BRK| Year : 1869 |BRK| Museum : Oskar Reinhart Museum « Am Römerholz » |BRK| Dimensions : 100 x 63 cm |BRK|
Place in the artist's career
Le départ du vapeur de Folkstone marks a turning point in Manet's career, signifying a period of experimentation and stylistic assertion. At this time, he moves away from his previous works such as Déjeuner sur l’herbe and Olympia, seeking to capture not only the image but also the fleeting atmosphere of human movements and landscapes. This canvas ranks among his masterpieces, while flirting with the Impressionist style that would be fully explored by his successors.
Anecdote
“Every canvas is a journey, a new adventure awaiting you.” These words resonate like an echo of the moment of inspiration that seized Manet, one morning when the sounds of the sea, the sincere scent of salty air, and the clarity of the blue sky blended into a living tableau, prompting him to immortalize this vertiginous departure in his painting .