Who painted Perched upon a Bust of Pallas?

Perched upon a Bust of Pallas was painted by Édouard Manet in 1875.

Where can I see Perched upon a Bust of Pallas?

Perched upon a Bust of Pallas is held by Cleveland Museum of Art.

What movement is Perched upon a Bust of Pallas?

Perched upon a Bust of Pallas is associated with Impressionism.

Can I buy a print of Perched upon a Bust of Pallas?

Museum-quality prints of Perched upon a Bust of Pallas are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Perched upon a Bust of Pallas

Édouard Manet , 1875

Perched upon a Bust of Pallas is a print by the Impressionist artist Édouard Manet. It dates from 1875 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

Accession no.: 1926.297
Credit line: Gift of Mrs. Ralph King

About this work

Manet made this for a book version of Edgar Allan Poe’s The Raven.

This painting shows a big black raven perched on a white bust. The bird’s dark feathers stand out against the pale marble. The raven looks right at us, like it’s waiting for an answer.

Manet made this for a book version of Edgar Allan Poe’s The Raven. It’s one of four pictures he drew for the 1875 French edition. The raven isn’t just a bird, it’s a symbol of grief in the poem.

It feels like a quiet moment frozen in time. Check out the raven’s sharp eyes. If you like this, look up Édouard Manet (French, 1832–1883).

Overview

Perched upon a Bust of Pallas is a lithograph created by Édouard Manet for a 1875 French translation of Edgar Allan Poe's poem 'The Raven'.

Subject & Meaning

The print depicts a raven perched on a bust of the goddess Athena, symbolizing grief as in Poe's poem, where the raven's presence torments a mourner.

Technique & Style

Manet's lithograph features stark contrast between the dark raven's feathers and the pale marble bust, with the raven's sharp eyes engaging the viewer directly.

History & Provenance

This work was one of four illustrations Manet created for Stéphane Mallarmé's translation of 'The Raven', a pioneering example of a livre d'artiste.

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Artist & collection

Artist

Édouard Manet

Édouard Manet was a French modernist painter. He was one of the first 19th-century artists to paint modern life, as well as a pivotal figure in the transition from Realism to Impressionism.