The Fifer
1866 Musée d'Orsay
About this artwork
This oil on canvas depicts a young military musician, a fifer, standing against a neutral, shallow background. It is a landmark work that highlights Manet's interest in flat planes of color and simplified lighting.
Did you know?
When Manet submitted this painting to the Paris Salon in 1866, it was famously rejected by the jury, who criticized it for its lack of depth and flat shadows. This rejection became a rallying cry for young avant-garde artists and helped propel Manet to his position as a pioneer of modernism. The model for the painting was a young Spanish boy, nicknamed 'Alexandre,' who was a member of the Imperial Guard band.
Know the artwork. Knowing its title and artist turns a beautiful image into a story worth sharing — with a museum label:
The Fifer
Édouard Manet, 1866
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