Olympia (1863)

"Olympia," painted by Édouard Manet in 1863, remains one of the most iconic and provocative works in the history of art. This masterpiece, often associated with the birth of modern painting, encapsulates a bold and untraditional depiction that challenged the norms and aesthetics of its time.The painting portrays a pale-skinned woman, reclining confidently on a bed, her gaze meeting the viewer's with unabashed directness. She is nude, adorned only with a black ribbon around her neck, a bracelet, and a single slipper barely hanging onto her foot, suggesting a state of undress rather than a classical nude pose. Her hand strategically covers her pelvis, both a modest gesture and a bold display of her autonomy.Beside her stands a servant, presumably of African descent, who presents a bouquet of flowers, likely from an admirer. The contrast between the two figures—highlighted by their skin tones and attire—adds a layer of social commentary on race and servitude. Additionally, a black cat at the foot of the bed, with its arched back, adds a subtext of sexuality and perhaps the idea of superstition or omen."Olympia" generated controversy and scandal at its 1865 Paris Salon debut, mainly due to its realistic portrayal of a courtesan in a manner reserved for high-born goddesses in the traditional art of the time. Manet's technique, with swift, bold brushstrokes and a flattened perspective, deviated from the detailed and dimensional techniques used by his contemporaries, which propelled the narrative of the painting even further into a candid realism.Today, "Olympia" is celebrated for its pioneering role in modern art.