Edouard Manet, Portrait of Eva Gonzalès, 1869-70. National Gallery, London.
Join art historian and National Gallery lecturer Dr Richard Stemp as he discusses the Gallery’s special exhibition to discover more about Edouard Manet and Eva Gonzalès, his 22 year old pupil, who entered his studio in 1869. What was her own experience as a woman artist in 19th-century Paris? How does Manet’s portrait of her fit into the broader context of self portraits made by women from the 18th to early 20th centuries and how do these compare and contrast with portraits painted of them by their male fellow artists and teachers? These include paintings by Elisabeth Louise Vigée Le Brun, Angelica Kauffmann, Berthe Morisot, Alfred Stevens and Laura Knight.
New technical examination of Manet’s painting by the National Gallery also provides another perspective, showing how Manet worked and what materials he chose. Scanning reveals Manet’s multiple attempts at areas he was struggling with; restarting the face repeatedly, reworking fabric and furniture, positioning things at different angles, and even painting out objects in his effort to create a sense of spontaneity. We can see how the painting came to life, as if we are standing behind Manet at the easel as he paints his friend and pupil.
The catalogue for the exhibition Discover Manet & Eva Gonzalès at the National Gallery has been supported with an ARTscapades grant.
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This is an online event hosted on Zoom which can be watched live, or on-demand for three weeks afterwards. You will receive your link to access the event in your email confirmation and the on-demand link after the event ends.