Edouard Manet

Edouard Manet (Paris, 1832 - Paris, 1883) is considered one of the greatest French painters. He was born into a rich and influential family and seems destined to become a judge like his father but, passionate about art from a very young age, to avoid undertaking legal studies, he decides to embark as a sailor.

His career on the seas does not last long but is enough to convince his family to indulge his passions. Thus he began attending the painter Thomas Couture's atelier at the age of eighteen but immediately argued with the master. Manet does not accept the rigid posture with which the models are traditionally portrayed, he considers it unnatural and ridiculous; so, in open contrast with the teacher, he decides to paint his subjects in everyday poses, to obtain a more realistic rendering.

From this moment on his career goes on with exhibitions of shocking works that will generate a series of criticisms and disagreements from collectors and art critics.

Today he is known all over the world as one of the most discussed but fundamental representatives for the birth of Impressionism.

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