A boy with a dog 1861

This painting of a boy with a dog was made by Édouard Manet in the late 19th century using oil on canvas. Manet’s visible brushstrokes create an open, unfinished quality, more aligned with the craft of painting than the creation of illusion. Look at the woven basket the boy carries, with its rustic texture and humble purpose. Baskets like this were essential for everyday life, made by artisans working with natural materials like willow or reeds. The painting elevates this everyday object through Manet’s artistic skill, inviting us to consider the value of handmade items in an increasingly industrialized world. The loose brushwork speaks to the changing social context of the time, where traditional hierarchies of labor were being challenged. By emphasizing the materiality and the act of painting itself, Manet blurs the line between the fine arts and the crafts. He prompts us to reflect on the labor involved not just in the painting, but also in the making of the basket, and the simple act of a boy and his dog.