Artwork

Two Apples

Two Apples, by Édouard Manet, graphite, 1880
Two Apples, by Édouard Manet, graphite, 1880

Two Apples is a graphite drawing by the Impressionist artist Édouard Manet. It dates from 1880 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

Inscription
Inscribed:lower right in pen and brown ink: E.M; lower right verso in blue pencil: AV 14-19 verre

About this work

Overview

Two Apples is a watercolor drawing created by Edouard Manet in 1880 on wove paper, using graphite as an underdrawing.

Subject & Meaning

The drawing depicts two peaches set against a plain, light-brown background. The peaches are positioned slightly apart, with one tilted upwards and the other downwards, rendered in soft yellows, reds, and touches of green, with small dark spots on their skin.

Technique & Style

Manet employed watercolor over graphite to achieve a delicate, textured representation of the fruit. The loose, sketchy strokes effectively capture the peaches' shape and color, blending colors lightly to convey their softness.

Two Plums
Two Plums, George Brookshaw

Artist & collection

Portrait of Édouard Manet

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.

This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: National Gallery of Art open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.

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Frequently asked questions

Who painted Two Apples?

Two Apples was painted by Édouard Manet in 1880.

Where can I see Two Apples?

Two Apples is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Two Apples?

Two Apples is associated with Impressionism.

Can I buy a print of Two Apples?

Museum-quality prints of Two Apples are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.