Édouard Manet (French, 1832–1883) was a pivotal figure in the transition from Realism to Impressionism, heralding modern art with a bold, unorthodox vision. Trained in the academic tradition yet defiant of its constraints, he scandalized the Parisian art world with works like Le Déjeuner sur l’herbe and Olympia, challenging conventions of form, subject, and social decorum. His candid portrayals of contemporary life - cafés, boulevards, and the urban bourgeoisie - redefined what was deemed worthy of high art.
Though often misunderstood in his lifetime, Manet's daring use of color, flattened perspective, and frank realism laid crucial groundwork for the avant-garde. He moved with, but stood apart from, the Impressionists, remaining committed to the clarity of form while embracing the fleeting impressions of modernity. His influence endures as that of a bridge-builder - between tradition and innovation, salon and street, past and present.
