Artwork
Madame Édouard Manet (Suzanne Leenhoff, 1830–1906)
Madame Édouard Manet (Suzanne Leenhoff, 1830–1906) is an oil painting by the Impressionist artist Édouard Manet. It dates from 1873 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
Technique & Style
The handling is fluid yet deliberate, with softly blended passages that model the sitter's features while preserving the tactile quality of brushwork.
Painted in 1873, the portrait employs oil on canvas, measuring 100.3 cm by 78.4 cm. The handling is fluid yet deliberate, with softly blended passages that model the sitter's features while preserving the tactile quality of brushwork. The palette is subdued yet luminous, relying on earthy tones and restrained highlights to convey both form and mood. The composition centers on the sitter's calm, frontal pose, framed by a neutral background that directs focus to her expression and attire. The technique reflects Manet's mature style, balancing realism with a loose, atmospheric approach that avoids excessive detail.
History & Provenance
The portrait was painted by Édouard Manet in 1873. The sitter is Suzanne Leenhoff, Manet's wife, who was born in 1830 and died in 1906. Executed in oil on canvas, it measures 100.3 by 78.4 centimeters and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.
No documented commission or preparatory material relating to the work's creation has been recorded in the cited sources, which likewise provide no specific accession number or exhibition history for the portrait.
Overview
Édouard Manet completed this oil painting, titled Madame Édouard Manet (Suzanne Leenhoff, 1830–1906), in 1873. The portrait depicts his wife, Suzanne Leenhoff, rendered with a distinctive artistic approach. This work is part of the collection at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, offering a glimpse into Manet's personal life and his evolving style during the period.
Subject & Meaning
The painting features Suzanne Leenhoff, the artist's wife, presented in a black hat and a gray coat. Her facial features appear softly rendered, almost blurred, drawing attention to the overall impression rather than sharp detail. She holds a small white object in her hands, its specific nature left ambiguous. This intimate portrayal suggests a focus on character and mood over precise representation.
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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.
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