Artwork
The Boy with a Sword
The Boy with a Sword is a print by the Impressionist artist Édouard Manet. It dates from 1862 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
- Accession no.
- 1925.61
- Credit line
- Gift of Ralph King
About this work
Overview
The Boy with a Sword, created by Édouard Manet in 1862, is a print housed at The Cleveland Museum of Art. It portrays a youthful figure in a somber, introspective pose.
Subject & Meaning
A young boy, clad in dark attire with a white shirt and shorts, stands contemplatively in a darkened space, his face blurred and eyes cast downward, conveying a sense of quiet, deep thought. His right hand grips a sword, while his left arm rests on its hilt, suggesting a moment of introspective pause.
Technique & Style
Manet employs chiaroscuro to evoke depth and dimensionality, focusing attention on the boy's face and the sword. The contrast between light and dark shadows accentuates the contemplative mood.
History & Provenance
Created in 1862 by Édouard Manet, the work is currently part of The Cleveland Museum of Art's collection.
Context
While the specific context or inspiration behind The Boy with a Sword is not detailed here, it reflects Manet's exploration of everyday subjects infused with psychological depth, characteristic of his period.
Legacy
Detailed legacy information on The Boy with a Sword is not provided, though as a Manet work, it contributes to the artist's broader impact on the transition from Realism to Impressionism.
Own this work as a print
Artist & collection
Artist
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.
