The Art Archive

<< [ timeline ] >> Impressionism 1800 - 1900

1.   2.   3.   4.      In 1865 Edouard Manet (1832-83) exhibited Olympia at the French salon. It caused a scandal. In composition the painting was reminiscent of traditional treatments of the nude, such as Titian's Venus of Urbino. This was, however, the only tradition Manet was willing to acknowledge. The woman, clearly a prostitute, gazes directly at the viewer. The harshness of her presence is intensified by the contrast between the stark whiteness of her skin and the black background. Her eroticism is increased by details such as the ribbon around her neck and her dangling slipper. So outraged was the public at the blatant display of sexuality that the painting had to be hung out of reach to prevent it being damaged.  5.   6.     7.   8.   9.  1. Olympia by Edouard Manet 1863 2. Ballerina in Dressing Room by Edgar Degas, pastel c.1870 3. The Mother by Silvestro Lega (1826-1895) 4. Self-portrait of Vincent van Gogh 1887 5. Yvonne and Christine Lerolle at the piano by Pierre Auguste Renoir c.1890-8 6. La Gare St Lazare by Claude Monet (1840-1926) 7. Lady of the Lake from Morte d'Arthur by Aubrey Beardsley c.1872 8. The diligence at Louvenciennes by Camille Pissarro (1830-1903) 9. Young woman sitting by Berthe Morisot (1841-95)