This pair sit upon a dock, surrounded by boats and the vibrant blue waters. The model for the woman is unknown, but it is thought the man was either Manet’s brother in law and painter Rodolphe Leenhoff, or Manet’s friend Baron Barbier. The chemistry between the two is tame; the woman holds a bouquet of flowers, presumably from the man, yet she does not look at him while he tries to engage with her. Perhaps the two have just had a disagreement and the flowers are an apology, perhaps she is not interested in him, or perhaps this is a relationship's first steps. The couple are each in striped clothing, complementary in color, but directionally opposed to one another. Each of the couple's outfits contain colors also used across the background of the piece in the sky, boats, and dock, creating a cohesive palette throughout the work.
SKU: 9364
Creator: Edouard Manet
Date: 1874
Original Medium: oil on canvas
Location: Musee des Beaux-Arts, Tournai, Belgium