The Spanish Singer
1861–62
Medium
Etching and bitten tone; second state of seven
Dimensions
plate: 12 1/8 x 9 5/8 in. (30.8 x 24.4 cm) sheet: 13 7/16 x 10 5/16 in. (34.2 x 26.2 cm)
Classification
Prints
Department
Drawings and Prints
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
The Elisha Whittelsey Collection, The Elisha Whittelsey Fund, 1952
Accession Number
52.608.2
Tags
Art Historical Context
Edouard Manet's *The Spanish Singer* (1861–62) captures the vibrant spirit of a male guitarist and singer, evoking the flair of Spanish performers popular in 19th-century Paris cafés. Created during Manet's early maturity, this etching reflects his fascination with Spanish culture, influenced by masters like Velázquez and G. The work ties into Manet's broader exploration of modern life and exoticism, bridging Realism and the emerging Impressionist movement he helped pioneer. Rendered in etching and bitten tone—the second state of seven—this print showcases Manet's innovative printmaking. Etch...
About the Artist
Edouard Manet · 1832–1883
Édouard Manet (1832-1883) was a French painter who played a pivotal role in the transition from Realism to Impressionism, often called the 'Father of Modern Art.' Born into a wealthy Parisian family, Manet defied his father's wishes for a legal career to pursue painting, studying under academic artist Thomas Couture. His revolutionary works 'Le Déjeuner sur l'herbe' and 'Olympia' (both 1863) scand...