Le Promeneur

Édouard Manet was a pioneer and founder of Impressionism, renowned for his highly innovative artistic vision and incisive depictions of modern Parisian life. Le Promeneur portrays a favorite archetype of the bourgeoisie who maintains a detached stance in urban life, called the Flâneur immortalized by French novelist and poet Charles Baudelaire. The composition, is offset from the central axis, which imparts a sense of movement to the figure. In his later years, Manet’s painting became more concise, with just a few strokes suggesting the contours and texture of his dress. The orange and pale yellow flowers adorning the windowsill brighten the snowy street, reflecting the modern lifestyle of Paris, known as “Cité des Fleurs” (City of Flowers). The subtly reflected image of the figure in the glass expands the spatial depth while also demonstrating Manet’s significant exploration of the modern visual experience.