Spring (Manet) Explained

Spring
Other Language 1:French
Other Title 1:Le Printemps
Artist:Édouard Manet
Year:1881
Catalogue:2014.62
Medium:Oil on canvas
Height Metric:74
Width Metric:51.5
Height Imperial:29.1
Width Imperial:20.3
Metric Unit:cm
Imperial Unit:in
City:Los Angeles
Museum:J. Paul Getty Museum

Spring is a 1881 oil-on-canvas painting by Édouard Manet. It debuted at the Paris Salon of 1882 and was considered the greatest and final public success of Manet's Salon career.[1] It depicts Parisian actress Jeanne DeMarsy in a floral dress with parasol and bonnet against a background of lush foliage and blue sky, as the embodiment of Spring. The painting also became the first work of art ever to be published in color.[2]

Background

Spring was the first of a planned quartet of allegorical works using chic Parisian women to depict the four seasons. The idea came from Manet's friend, Antonin Proust, who suggested a series of seasons personified by contemporary ideals of women, fashion and beauty. The series was never finished and Manet died a year after finishing only the second of the series, Autumn.[3]

Auction

In November 2014, the J. Paul Getty Museum paid more than $65 million for the painting, surpassing the previous record of $33.2 million for a Manet which was paid for Self Portrait With a Palette in 2010.[4]

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Jeanne (Spring) (Getty Museum). The J. Paul Getty in Los Angeles. 26 June 2017.
  2. Web site: Edouard Manet (1832-1883), Le Printemps. christies.com. 26 June 2017.
  3. News: Getty breaks record with $65.1-million purchase of Manet's 'Spring'. Los Angeles Times. Craig Nakano. 5 November 2014. 26 June 2017.
  4. Web site: Édouard Manet’s Spring Now at the Getty Museum. 25 November 2014. getty.edu. 26 June 2017.