Edouard Manet was a famous French painter who is known for his artworks, which are displayed in the Orsay Museum. There are about 49 paintings of Manet exhibited in the museum. He is known for bringing the real life of people to the canvas. He painted several artworks showing people engaged in activities. This includes pictures depicting people relaxing on the beach, café, bar, and theater.
He was the artist who showed the courage to go off the road of the classical conventional way of painting. Many of the younger generations of artists followed him and hence, he is now considered as the master of the pre-Impressionist artists.
The paintings of Manet are something you cannot miss during your Orsay museum tours. Here is a list of some of the most important paintings of Manet you should not miss out on seeing during your Orsay tour.
Le Déjeuner Sur l’Herbe
This is a painting dating back to 1863 and it led to great controversies. Manet enrolled the painting for the Paris Salon program of 1863. However, the members of the committee rejected the artwork. On the other hand, the painting became the prime attraction in the art show for rejected works.
The painting was criticized by many critics of the day. It was said that the painting lacked gradations between dark and light shades. Manet had not worked on depth and perspective. The uneven color patches and the visible paint strokes of the artwork were considered as drawbacks. The painting can be found presently in room 29 of Musée d’Orsay.
Olympia
This painting of Manet was accepted in the Paris Salon of 1865. This nude painting created great controversies. He had to face great criticisms. The painting was considered unacceptable for long years. Manet’s favorite model Victorine Meurent was featured in this painting as well. This painting was urged to be set in the Louvre museum, after Manet’s death. However, it was later placed in Musée du Luxembourg. Presently it can be found in room 14 of Musée d’Orsay.
Many other paintings like the portrait of Emile Zola, Le Balcon, Berthe Morisot au Bouquet de Violettes and others are must-see on your Orsay Museum tours. Manet’s style of painting can be studied and understood by having a look at these masterpieces of his. He is still known in the art world for his great contributions. If you are an art lover or an artist, the visit to Musée d’Orsay will be an unforgettable experience. There are paintings of many great artists on display here.