Of Manet's prolific collection of portraits, only two self portraits are known, one of which is seen here. The portrait is very dignified, Manet's pose conveys power and confidence. There are many specific features to Manet's face which speak to his personality, like his piercing eyes and pink ears and cheeks, as well as his realism in his own depiction. Manet was known for his visible brushstrokes which was a taboo in fine art at the time, but set him apart from many of his more academic peers and helped secure his place in the canon of art history.
SKU: 54742
Creator: Edouard Manet
Date: 1878-9
Original Medium: oil on canvas
Original Size: 37.6 x 24.9 in
Location: Bridgestone Museum of Art, Tokyo
© Corbis