The Ham
- Original dimensions
- 41.2 x 32.4 cm
- Museum
- Burrell Collection
- Year
- 1877
Scene depicted
In this canvas , Manet immerses us in a moment of conviviality where a ham, the centerpiece of the feast, takes center stage, surrounded by carefully chosen accessories. The way he plays with light and shadows inevitably draws the eye, turning a simple market stall into a celebration of culinary art.
Historical context
Work : Le Jambon |BRK| Artist : Édouard Manet |BRK| Year : 1877 |BRK| Museum : Burrell Collection |BRK| Dimensions : 41.2 x 32.4 cm |BRK|
Place in the artist's career
Le Jambon stands at the crossroads of Manet’s career, both as a symbol of his emerging genius and as a testament to his desire to redefine art. Meanwhile, works such as "Le Déjeuner sur l’herbe" and "Olympia" illustrate how he revolutionized pictorial conventions and societal expectations, creating a momentum toward a new aesthetic.
Anecdote
“I have always sought to capture the moment, to make speak what the eyes do not see.” It was in a sunlit alley in Paris that Édouard Manet found inspiration to bring this masterpiece to life, transforming a simple market scene into an intimate reflection on the simple pleasures of life.