On the Bench 1879

"On the Bench" is a pastel portrait by French Impressionist painter Édouard Manet, created in 1879. This piece showcases Manet’s signature loose and vibrant brushstrokes, capturing a woman in profile, partially obscured by her large hat, with a backdrop of foliage. The soft, muted palette and suggestive lines evoke a sense of intimacy and fleeting moments, characteristics of Impressionism. The artwork captures the essence of casual, outdoor observation, a central theme in Manet's oeuvre.