Oil Paintings Reproductions

About The Artist - Edouard Manet (January 23, 1832 - April 30, 1883)

Édouard Manet was a French painter and one of the forerunners for prospecting a paradigm shift from Realism to Impressionism in 19th century.

About The Painting - Le Dejeuner Sur L'Herbe (The Luncheon on the Grass)

One of his early masterpieces, The Luncheon on the Grass aroused much controversy and acted as a rallying point for the young and upcoming painters who later created the Impressionism. Today, this painting is considered a watershed composition that initiated the genesis of modern Western art.

Though rejected by the Paris Salon from being a part of the exhibition in 1863, The Luncheon on the Grass was exhibited at the Salon des Refusés (Salon of the rejected) later the same year. The controversial painting depicts the juxtaposition of a nude woman and fully-clothed men.

The Luncheon on the Grass was originally titled The Bath (Le Bain) and is oil on canvas. The painting is not realistic in the sense that it doesn't address any social or political message, rather it is strong statement made by Manet about his freedom. The shock value of the painting comes from the nude woman's presence as she lunches, casually, with the two fully-dressed male subjects. Furthermore, the naked woman's body is clearly lit and she is staring directly at us. The model is believed to be Victorine Meurent who modeled for Manet regularly. The two men in the painting are Gustave, Manet's brother, and Ferdinand Leenhoff, Manet's to be brother-in-law. Dressed as dandies, the men appear to be engaged in a conversation and seem to be ignoring the woman. The woman's clothes, a basket of fruits, and a round load of bread are scattered in front of the group. The background shows a lightly clad woman as she wades in a stream.

The background lacks depth and gives the impression that the event is set in a studio and not outdoors. The lack of shadow further reinforces this thought; the lighting in The Luncheon on the Grass is unnatural and inconsistent.

A watershed painting, The Luncheon on the Grass broke many academic traditions of the 19th century as can be understood from this quote: "Painters, and especially Édouard Manet, who is an analytic painter, do not share the masses' obsession with the subject: to them, the subject is only a pretext to paint, whereas for the masses only the subject exists." - Emile Zola, 1867