The Balloon
1862
ink
paper
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
About the artist
Artist
Edouard Manet
Édouard Manet didn’t have much time to make his mark—he died at 51—but he used every year.
See the richer artist page1862
ink
paper
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
The Balloon is a 1862 ink by Edouard Manet, a Impressionism work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This sketch shows a crowd gathered under a huge hot-air balloon. The balloon’s basket sits on the ground, with people pointing or watching. Some stand close, others lean in, and a dog lies in the foreground. The scene looks busy but loose, with quick, sketchy lines instead of smooth details. The balloon itself is the star—its woven pattern and ropes fill the center. The artist didn’t bother with perfect proportions; the figures tilt and overlap, giving it a hurried, almost chaotic energy. If you like this style, check out lithography to see how artists made prints like this.
Édouard Manet didn’t have much time to make his mark—he died at 51—but he used every year.
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