 Gallery for Manet |
| Edouard Manet |
| Manet was the statemnet of the
Impressionists,although he never participated in their exhibitions but continued to
compete in the Salons.His unconventional subject matter drawn from modern life and his
concern for the artist's freedom in handling paint made him as important precursor of
Impressionism.The importance of his work was not widely pereived during his lifetime. Manet was born in 1832 in an wealthy family trained by Thomas Couture.His work was founded on the opposition of light and shadow,a restricted palette in which black was very important.His style was directly influenced by the Spaniard Velasquez.In Paris he associated with avantgarde writers.In 1863 and 1867 he held one-man exhibitions. In the 1870s under the influence of Monet and Renoir,he produced landscape and street scenes directly inspired by Impressionism.He remained reluctant to exhibit with the Impressionists,and sought the approval of the Salon all his life. With great skill he captured the peaceful atmosphere in country scenes or by the sea,or cheerful moments in Paris cafes or at the races,making no emotional statement,but using colour tones for expression.In 1881 he became the member of the Legion of Honour. He passed away in 1883. |