French modernist painter
Édouard Manet
was born,
January 23, 1832
in Paris, France
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He was one of the first 19th-century artists to paint modern life, and a pivotal figure in the transition from Realism to Impressionism.
Édouard Manet showed promise in drawing and caricature from an early age. After twice being denied admission to France’s prestigious Naval College, he enrolled in 1850 at the studio of academic artist Thomas Couture. While copying paintings at the Louvre, Manet became attracted to the bold brushwork of Spanish painter Diego Velázquez. He soon adopted a free manner of painting that opposed the polished surfaces revered by academic artists. Rather than gradually building up a composition with layers of blended pigments and translucent glazes, Manet selected and applied patches of color side by side, from the start, for their final effect.
He broke new ground by defying traditional techniques of representation and by choosing subjects from the events and circumstances of his own time. Laying down intense contrasts of light and dark, creating brazenly unmodulated paint surfaces, and asserting the primacy of flattened pattern and color. For this Manet attracted unrelenting hostility and scorn.
Manet’s work is considered “early modern”, partially because of the opaque flatness of his surfaces, the frequent sketchlike passages, and the black outlining of figures, all of which draw attention to the surface of the picture plane and the material quality of paint. Posthumously he would be recognized as a father of modern art.
His known extant works, as catalogued in 1975 by Denis Rouart and Daniel Wildenstein, comprise 430 oil paintings, 89 pastels, and more than 400 works on paper.
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So here’s a glimpse of his work & words
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“I am influenced by everbody. But every time I put my hands in my pockets I find someone else’s fingers there”
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“One does not paint a landscape, a seascape, a figure. One paints an impression of an hour of the day.”
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“One must be of one’s time and paint what one sees.”
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“Color is a matter of taste and of sensitivity.”
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“Every time I paint, I throw myself into the water in order to learn how to swim.”
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“There are no lines in nature, only areas of colour, one against another.”
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“The attacks of which I have been the object have broken the spring of life in me… People don’t realize what it feels like to be constantly insulted.”
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“There is only one true thing: instantly paint what you see. When you’ve got it, you’ve got it. When you haven’t, you begin again. All the rest is humbug.”
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“No one can be a painter unless he cares for painting above all else.”
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“You would hardly believe how difficult it is to place a figure alone on a canvas, and to concentrate all the interest on this single and universal figure and still keep it living and real.”
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“It is not enough to know your craft – you have to have feeling. Science is all very well, but for us imagination is worth far more.”
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“Insults are pouring down on me as thick as hail.”
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“Black is not a color.”
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“If I’m lucky, when I paint, first my patrons leave the room, then my dealers, and if I’m really lucky I leave too.”
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“There’s no symmetry in nature. One eye is never exactly the same as the other. There’s always a difference. We all have a more or less crooked nose and an irregular mouth.”
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“I need to work to feel well.”
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“Above all, keep your colors fresh!.”
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“The principal person in a picture is light..”
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Italian composer
known as the “father of the pianoforte”
Muzio Clementi [1752 – 1832]
was also born on this day,
January 23, 1752
so I’ve added 3 Sonatas by him
all performed by
Vladimir Horowitz
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Piano Sonata in F minor Op. 14 No. 3
Recorded 1954
I. Allegro agitato 00:00 • II. Largo e sostenuto 04:14 • III. Presto 09:16
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Piano Sonata Op.33 No. 1
Recorded 1949 [live]
I. Allegro 0:00 • II. Presto 6:10
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Piano Sonata in F-sharp minor, Op. 25 No. 5
Recorded 1955
I. Allegro con espressione 00:00 • II. Lento e patetico 03:52 • III. Presto 07:40
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For more information on Manet:
https://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/mane/hd_mane.htm
https://www.tate.org.uk/art/artists/edouard-manet-1567
https://www.nga.gov/collection/artist-info.1506.html
https://www.nationalgallery.org.uk/artists/edouard-manet
https://www.guggenheim.org/artwork/artist/edouard-manet
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C3%89douard_Manet
Marina Kanavaki 
Loved this the first time, more the second time.
Manet is brilliant!
Thank you, dahling!
Listening to the first piano piece. Ministry is finished!
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo
Clementi after Ministry! …why not!
Reminds me of my piano studying years. Lots of Clementi sonatas.
Manet is a truly brilliant artist. Happy you enjoyed …again!
Sending hugs and love your way
okay Hera… from you too!!!!!
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo
Thank you for another enjoyable art lesson! I could study the facial expressions for hours. This quote reminds me of Virginia Woolf: “One does not paint a landscape, a seascape, a figure. One paints an impression of an hour of the day.”
Woolf was right! So glad you enjoyed this journey, Liz. I always discover something new in a painting, no matter how many times I see it!
This in-depth posting about Manet is most appreciated. Finishing up a book about Picasso and Manet is discussed also. Thank you!
Thank you, my friend. A book about Picasso and Manet sounds great! I look forward to it! 🙏🙏
Beautiful! Thank you for writing about one of my favorite Impressionists.
Ah, thank YOU, for visiting and enjoying the journey to this amazing painter work! 🙏
Wonderful paintings!
He was a great artist! 😀
Loved it!
He was indeed!
So happy you enjoyed it!!
Happy Monday! 🙂
Happy Monday! 🙂
Thank you, my friend! 🙏
Adore Manet’s art. He is definitely one of my faves, top 10!
His style is brief, and exact, romantic and practical. Also, I believe he did not need glasses. LOVE!
The music is perfect. I’m listening to the last video, and I’ve loved every minute of all 3.
When it is over, i will post this comment.
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo
Off topic – have you done Toulouse – Lautrec?
“Brief and exact, romantic…” is just perfect description. One of my faves too.
So glad you enjoyed Clementi too. Reminds me of my piano lessons! 😉
No, I haven’t yet and now that I checked it looks like I missed his birthday (November 24) so I’ll be doing it this year. (I also missed Matisse December 31st!… what a day to be born! 😉)
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The lives of Manet and his contemporaries are fascinating. Not only did they complicate them themselves with their unconventional lifestyles; their art was scorned by the establishment (crown & salon) as you aptly show here with your quotes. Their exhibitions were mocked early on, and they constantly sought patrons although Manet himself supported many. My favorites in your collection here are “The House at Rueil,” The Dead Christ with Angels,” and “The Ragpicker.” Thank you, again. These museum ‘tours’ are wonderful. You are my favorite and constant docent!
So unfair, isn’t it?!
Again, I’m finding it hard to pick. I love the expressions he captures and his amazing brushstrokes, for example The Rue Mosnier with flags and then his vases or that pup on the lap of the lady in The Railway, or The Plum, the Execution (the second one)…. and because I know I’ll end up naming each and every one, I’ll stop!
I’m so happy you’re joining me in these tours! Happy Monday and week ahead!
Many hugs! 🤗😘
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Genius
Oh, yes!
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Even in the work that may be dark, I found a consistency in his style through the years. But the asparagus was my favorite. Enjoy the rest of your Sunday. Yamas!
You’re right and -not so- coincidentally, the still lifes were done in his latest years. 😉
You too, my friend, and Monday and week ahead.
Yamas!
🤍 the “candid” quality of ‘At the café’ with the lady’s expression as if she has just turned her head and noticed the artist capturing the scene.
Happy Sunday, Marina
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Genius, isn’t it?!!! He’s a master at capturing such moments!
Thank you, my friend …and happy Monday and week ahead to you!!
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Happy week! (Last one of the month – it’s happening again Marina 😉 )
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Last week huh?!!! These months are robbing us of our time! Despicable! 😉
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Enjoyed all about Manet! Most of his words can still inspire artists today…thanks for the post.
I agree with you and his work too!
Thank you, Sherry!
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Nice post ! Love all the artwork!
Great painter! Thank you, my friend. 🙏☺
Another favorite painter.
Needless to mention, mine too, right?! 😉
Celebrating Edouard Manet’s birthday with you on my side of the world!
How wonderful! I can’t wait to visit your side of the world! I see you have posted one of my favorite paintings of Monet. Many hugs your way!