Luncheon on the Grass
1863 Musée d'Orsay
About this artwork
This large-scale oil on canvas depicts a nude woman casually conversing with two fully dressed men in a woodland setting. It was rejected by the Paris Salon of 1863 and subsequently showcased in the Salon des Refusés, sparking significant public controversy.
Did you know?
When first exhibited at the Salon des Refusés, the painting caused a massive scandal due to the jarring juxtaposition of a contemporary, unidealized nude woman with fully clothed men in a modern setting. Unlike traditional academic nudes, which usually depicted mythological or historical figures, Manet's subject was clearly a contemporary woman, which challenged the social and artistic conventions of 19th-century France. The painting is now considered a foundational work in the development of modern art.
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Luncheon on the Grass
Édouard Manet, 1863
