Edouard Manet Standing 1868

Edgar Degas made this portrait of Édouard Manet in ink wash on paper. The choice of materials immediately sets a tone of immediacy and intimacy, a far cry from the formal oil paintings that typically defined the art world of 19th-century Paris. The fluid, almost casual application of ink captures Manet in a moment of relaxed repose. The washes create depth and shadow, while the bare paper peeks through, giving the work a sense of lightness and spontaneity. This approach wasn't about laborious detail, but about capturing an essence. Degas was part of a circle of artists challenging the established Salon system, effectively an art market controlled by the French state. Their embrace of unconventional techniques and subjects, like this informal portrait, reflected a desire to break free from academic constraints and find new ways of representing modern life. Looking at the processes and materials that artists use helps us understand their social context, and question the traditional hierarchy that elevates some art forms over others.