Édouard Manet, Bust-Length Portrait 1863 - 1873

Edgar Degas made this print of Édouard Manet using etching, a process that was undergoing something of a revival in late 19th century France. The image shows the painter in his bourgeois suit. But it’s the lines that catch the eye – the many short, dark marks from the etching needle that build up the image. Degas was a key figure in the Impressionist movement, which challenged the conservative norms of the French art establishment. Manet was an important influence, and here we see Degas depicting Manet as a fellow artist, rather than a figure from high society. In its rough quality and intimate scale, this portrait seems to critique the formal conventions of the French Salon system. The history of art is not just about individual genius, but about artistic communities, critical debates, and the institutions that shape artistic production. By studying archival sources, exhibition catalogues, and period reviews, we can gain a deeper understanding of the social conditions that gave rise to artworks like this one.