Manet (hardcover) Coffee Table Book

Manet (hardcover) Coffee Table Book Henri Lallemand New Line Books 2006 - Art - 144 pages The history of Impressionism could not be written without Edouard Manet. In his time, he was considered the leader of this avant-garde movement. But his work is in fact scarcely representative of Impressionism, especially when compared to the paintings of Claude Monet or Pierre- Auguste Renoir. His reputation as the first truly modern painter. Manet was was a fascinating personality, whose worldliness and enlightened liberalism attracted great spirits such as Charles Baudelaire and Stephane Mallarme. Manet loved his native city Paris. His wit was sharp and quick at times even cutting and his scepticism and raillery were feared by his contemporaries. He moved freely in upper class social circles; his irreverence and free spirit although mingled with respect fro traditional values, set him apart from the mainstream.