Édouard Manet

January 23, 1832 - April 30, 1883

Édouard Manet was a French painter. He was one of the first Nineteenth Century artists to paint modern life and was a pivotal figure in the transition from Realism to Impressionism.

Born into an upper-class household with strong political connections, Manet rejected the future originally envisioned for him, becoming engrossed in the world of painting. His early masterworks, The Luncheon on the Grass and Olympia, both 1863, caused great controversy and served as rallying points for the young painters who would create Impressionism. Today, these are considered watershed paintings marking the genesis of modern art. The last twenty years of Manet’s life saw him form bonds with other great artists of the time and develop his own style heralded as innovative, serving as a major influence for future painters.

Berthe Morisot with a Bouquet of Violets ; 1872

In the Conservatory ; 1879

Flowers in a Crystal Vase ; c. 1882