Édouard Manet

Edouard Manet was a leader in the development of a new pictorial language, and Repose demonstrates elements of his radical style, including dominant contrasts of light and dark tones; broad, tactile paint-handling; and a sense of shallow, compressed space. This representation of the artist Berthe Morisot shocked some viewers, who criticized her casual pose, her informal dress, and her availability as a model. Her gaze suggests reverie, in contract to the raucous depiction of a pearl diver pursued by a dragon in the Japanese woodblock print above her head. Manet described his painting as a study in physical and psychological repose—“not at all in the character of a portrait.” 

Although he did not exhibit with the Impressionists, Manet was a key participant in the development of a new pictorial language. Repose demonstrates elements of his radical style, including dominant contrasts of light and dark tones; broad, tactile paint-handling; and a sense of shallow, compressed space.

This representation of the artist Berthe Morisot shocked some viewers. They criticized her casual pose, her informal dress, and her availability as a model. Her gaze suggests reverie, in contrast to the raucous subject of a pearl diver pursued by a dragon in the Japanese woodblock print above her head. Manet described this painting as a study in physical and psychological repose-“not at all in the character of a portrait.”