Study for 'Le Déjeuner sur l'herbe' (Luncheon on the Grass)
Maker
1832-1883
Title
Study for 'Le Déjeuner sur l'herbe' (Luncheon on the Grass)
Date of Production
1863
Medium
oil on canvas
Dimensions
Height: 89.5 cm (canvas)
Width: 116.5 cm (canvas)
Width: 116.5 cm (canvas)
Accession Number
P.1932.SC.232
Mode of Acquisition
Samuel Courtauld, gift, 1932
Credit
The Courtauld, London (Samuel Courtauld Trust)
Copyright
Work in the public domain
Location
On display
Keywords
Label Text
This work was made in preparation for one of the most famous paintings of the 19th century. In 1863, Édouard Manet scandalised the art world with his large, finished version of this composition (now in the Orsay museum, Paris). It was shocking for its life-size depiction of two nearly naked women alongside fully dressed men in contemporary clothes. Although Manet initially drew inspiration from Renaissance nudes, he rejected the veil of mythology and painted unidealised female figures, one of whom confronts the viewer with her direct gaze.
As in most sketches, some areas are loosely defined, others more fully painted. Manet lavished particular attention on the trunk of the tree on the left and the black jacket of the reclining male figure. The sketch was probably painted as an aid during the creation of the large canvas, which took over a year to complete.
As in most sketches, some areas are loosely defined, others more fully painted. Manet lavished particular attention on the trunk of the tree on the left and the black jacket of the reclining male figure. The sketch was probably painted as an aid during the creation of the large canvas, which took over a year to complete.
Provenance
Given by the artist to Commandant Lejosne, Paris; Lejosne faily, Maisons-Lafitte, until 1924; Galerie Druet, Paris; The Independent Gallery, London; purchased by Samuel Courtauld, June 1928; Courtauld Gift,1932.
Exhibition History
Manet/Degas, Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, 24/09/2023-07/01/2024
Masterpieces of Impressionism from The Courtauld Gallery, Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum, Tokyo, Japan, 10/09/2019-15/12/2019; Aichi Prefectural Museum, Nagoya, Japan, 03/01/2020-15/03/2020; Kobe City Museum, Kobe, Japan, 28/03/2020-21/06/2020
The Courtauld Collection. A Vision for Impressionism, Louis Vuitton Foundation, Paris, 20/02/2019-17/06/2019 ...More
Courtauld Impressionists: From Manet to Cezanne, National Gallery, London, 17/09/2018-20/01/2019
Skins, The Ferens Art Gallery, Hull, 22/04/2017-13/08/2017
Manet (1832-1883) and Venice, Palazzo Ducale & Venice & Italy, 24/04/2013-01/09/2013
Manet - Portraying Life, Royal Academy of Arts, London, 26/01/2013-14/04/2013
The Imaginary Museum (Centenary Exhibition), Pushkin Museum & Moscow & Russia, 27/04/2012-29/07/2012
Part of general displays, Los Angeles & California & USA, 15/04/2004-06/10/2004
Edouard Manet, Fuchu Art Museum, Tokyo, Japan, 28/07/2001-10/12/2001
The Courtauld Collection: Masterpieces of Impressionism and Post-Impressionism, Art Gallery of Ontario, Toronto, 14/06/1998-21/09/1998
The Courtauld Collection, Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, 26/12/1997-12/05/1998 ...Less
Masterpieces of Impressionism from The Courtauld Gallery, Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum, Tokyo, Japan, 10/09/2019-15/12/2019; Aichi Prefectural Museum, Nagoya, Japan, 03/01/2020-15/03/2020; Kobe City Museum, Kobe, Japan, 28/03/2020-21/06/2020
The Courtauld Collection. A Vision for Impressionism, Louis Vuitton Foundation, Paris, 20/02/2019-17/06/2019 ...More
Courtauld Impressionists: From Manet to Cezanne, National Gallery, London, 17/09/2018-20/01/2019
Skins, The Ferens Art Gallery, Hull, 22/04/2017-13/08/2017
Manet (1832-1883) and Venice, Palazzo Ducale & Venice & Italy, 24/04/2013-01/09/2013
Manet - Portraying Life, Royal Academy of Arts, London, 26/01/2013-14/04/2013
The Imaginary Museum (Centenary Exhibition), Pushkin Museum & Moscow & Russia, 27/04/2012-29/07/2012
Part of general displays, Los Angeles & California & USA, 15/04/2004-06/10/2004
Edouard Manet, Fuchu Art Museum, Tokyo, Japan, 28/07/2001-10/12/2001
The Courtauld Collection: Masterpieces of Impressionism and Post-Impressionism, Art Gallery of Ontario, Toronto, 14/06/1998-21/09/1998
The Courtauld Collection, Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, 26/12/1997-12/05/1998 ...Less
Literature
The Courtauld Collection: Masterpieces of Impressionism and Post-Impressionism, Art Gallery of Ontario, 1998
Inscriptions
Inscription: inscription : signed : bottom left & recto : : Manet
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