Édouard Manet

Early Life

Édouard Manet was born in Paris, France, in 1832. His family hoped he would become a lawyer or a sailor, but Manet loved drawing and painting much more.

After trying and not enjoying a navy career, he followed his heart and studied art. He trained with a teacher, Thomas Couture, and visited museums, where he learned by looking closely at famous paintings.

Learning to Be an Artist

Manet worked very hard to improve his skills. He traveled around Europe to study great artworks and practice new ideas.

He liked painting real life, such as people he knew, cafés, parks, and city streets. This was different from many artists who preferred stories from myths or history.

Changing the Art World

Manet became famous for painting in bold and honest ways. His paintings used strong contrasts, clear shapes, and visible brushstrokes that made scenes feel lively and real.

At first, many people did not understand his art, and some even complained about it. But Manet kept painting because he believed in his ideas.

A Friend to Other Artists

Manet was friends with artists like Claude Monet and Edgar Degas. These painters were part of a group later called the Impressionists.

Even though Manet did not call himself an Impressionist or show his work in their group exhibitions, his art inspired them. He helped open the door to new styles of art.

Legacy

Today, Édouard Manet is remembered as one of the most important artists in history. His bravery helped art move from old traditions to fresh and modern ideas.

His paintings can be seen in famous museums around the world. Manet showed that artists should paint what they see and feel, and that lesson still inspires artists today.