MUSEE ORSAY, Manet Dejeuner Sur L'herbe
Language: English / USA
The painting before you entitled "Dejeuner sur l'herbe", or "Luncheon on the Grass" is by Edouard Manet. It is a true milestone in art history, even more importantly because it symbolizes the birth of the new impressionist painting school.
Since it was first exhibited in 1863, this work has prompted scandal and indignation.
The painting was displayed at the "Salon des Refusés", or the "Hall of the Rejects", which Emperor Napoleon III had set up to host all the works that had been excluded from the "Salon" of works selected by the Academy of Fine Arts. The most "scandalous" figure is Victorine Meurent, Manet's favorite model, who you can see sitting on the grass in the foreground, fully nude. Not at all troubled, she intensely stares in your direction, almost as if she wants to involve you in the scene. The two men beside her are Eugène, Manet's brother, and his future brother-in-law. In the background a woman with barely any clothes on steps into a pond. To the left you can see Victorine's clothes on the grass with a bottle and a basket, making for a beautiful still life. The scene is framed by trees, making it more theatrical.
Prudish Paris believed that the picture depicted two young hooligans and two ladies of easy virtue. Yet in reality, Manet wasn't trying to be scandalous: he was inspired by the Renaissance theme, especially that invoked by the great Titian with his painting of nudes called "Pastoral Concert".
Another source of irritation is related to the technique Manet used. His critics accused him of having treated figures and backgrounds differently, so that the former seemed like cutout silhouettes glued onto a second layer that had been painted rather summarily, with violent contrasts of lights and shadows. The artist's compositional freedom was misunderstood, and Manet was criticized for his "mania of seeing through stains".
FUN FACT: Manet faced the indignation of critics and the public calmly, almost laughing, so much so that he even suggested renaming it "The couples swap".
