The Little Cavaliers, after "Velázquez" 1861 - 1862

Edouard Manet created this etching, "The Little Cavaliers, after 'Velázquez'," as an homage to the Spanish master Diego Velázquez. Manet lived and worked in a Parisian art world that was rapidly changing, where artists sought to challenge academic traditions. Manet translates the original painting into a new visual language. He captures the atmosphere and essence of Velázquez's work, while infusing it with his own modern sensibility. What does it mean to be modern? Well, certainly for Manet, it meant to be a man, in the world, with other men. His work often focused on the male gaze, portraying men looking at women, but here it's men amongst themselves, caught in a moment of camaraderie. This print then, is more than just a copy; it's Manet engaging in a dialogue with the past, filtering it through the lens of his own time and experiences. In doing so, it offers us a glimpse into the ever-evolving relationship between tradition and innovation, and how artists grapple with their influences to forge their own unique paths.