The Lemon
- Original dimensions
- 22 x 14 cm
- Museum
- Royal Museum of Fine Arts of Antwerp
- Year
- 1880
Scene depicted
In Le Citron , Manet immerses us in the heart of a delicate still life. The fruit, with its radiant skin, shines with captivating luminosity. Executed in a simple and direct style, this pictorial work evokes an intimate atmosphere, where each shadow and reflection silently dialogue. The composition, though modest, invites contemplation and appreciation of life's simple pleasures.
Historical context
Work : Le Citron |BRK| Artist : Édouard Manet |BRK| Year : 1880 |BRK| Museum : Royal Museum of Fine Arts of Antwerp |BRK| Dimensions : 22 x 14 cm |BRK| Major exhibitions : Édouard Manet |BRK|
Place in the artist's career
Le Citron marks a pivotal period in Manet's career, where he combines technique and emotion brilliantly. Simultaneously, other works such as Le Déjeuner sur l'herbe and Olympia reveal his bold approach to the standards of his time, demonstrating a constant evolution towards a more personal and introspective style.
Anecdote
Manet, facing this lemon on a wooden table, is said to have murmured: "Beauty lies in the simplicity of things." It was during a spring morning, bathed in the soft sunlight, that the artist felt inspired. This immediate emotion is reflected in the evocative power of Le Citron , reminding everyone of the fleeting beauty of everyday moments.
Major exhibitions
Édouard Manet