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Jeanne (Spring) Gm-35313201

Jeanne (Spring) Gm-35313201

Regular price CHF 40.00
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Édouard Manet (French, 1832–1883) A chic young woman in a day dress with floral accents holds a parasol against a background of exuberant foliage. She looks straight ahead, a picture of poise and detachment even as she seems fully aware of the viewer's admiring gaze. Representing aspiring Parisian actress Jeanne Demarsy as the embodiment of Spring, this portrait debuted at the last major public exhibition of Manet's life, the Paris Salon of 1882. For more than two decades, Manet's paintings were rejected by the Salon or met with controversy; Spring was the most unalloyed success of the artist's Salon career, a career that ended tragically a year later when Manet died of causes related to syphilis.

Appealing to critics primarily on account of Jeanne's charm, Spring also showcased Manet's mastery of his medium. The painting exhibits a marvelous range of brushwork, from the thin, delicate floral touches on the dress to the smooth handling of Jeanne's face and the broad, sketch-like strokes of the backdrop. The painting's sensual handling and bright, vibrant palette evoke the pleasures of the season it celebrates.

When composing Spring, Manet had in view both the latest fashion trends and old artistic traditions. An avid connoisseur of feminine couture, he pieced together Jeanne's ensemble himself by scouring dressmakers' and milliners' shops. Posing his model in the studio, however, he referred to portrait conventions of the early Italian Renaissance, presenting her half-length, in profile, and against a mass of greenery. More than just an ephemeral "fashion-plate," Manet's archetypal Spring was conceived as a picture for the ages, summarizing his modern epoch through the figure of a beautiful Parisienne.

Art + Ideas Podcast: Scott Allan on Manet’s Jeanne (Spring)

Printed to order on 100% cotton archival paper (250 gsm). These cards are produced for shops across Switzerland and Italy. Prices shown are retail; trade discounts are available for registered retailers. A trade code will be provided upon approval.

Large cards measure 13 x 18 cm. Medium cards measure 10.5 x 14.8 cm. Each card includes a recycled kraft envelope and is individually wrapped in eco-friendly packaging.

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