The Urchin (1873 – 1874)
Technique: Giclée quality print
Recommended by our customers
More about this artwork
The Urchin (1873 – 1874) by Edouard Manet is an etching which portrays a young boy holding what appears to be a large knapsack or bag. Set against a stark background that allows the viewer to fully focus on the subject, this piece captures the essence of youth juxtaposed with a hint of worldly weariness. This Parisian street boy, with his disheveled hair and poignant gaze, seems to carry more than just physical weight. The eyes speak volumes of his everyday struggles and experiences which are far beyond his years.Revealing Manet’s expertise in expressing emotion and character through simple yet powerful lines, the artwork evocatively captures the subtleties of human expression. The young boy’s attire, somewhat oversized and rugged, along with the firm grip on his handle, possibly suggest his readiness to face the challenges of his environment, underlining a resilience that is both necessary and poignant.Manet’s interest in real-life subjects and their conditions reflects in this etching, pushing the boundaries of traditional art of his time centered on idealized concepts. "The Urchin" invites its viewers to ponder the narrative behind the young subject’s somber expression, encouraging empathy and reflection on societal issues.
Delivery
Returns
Édouard Manet (1832–1883) was a French modernist painter and one of the first 19th century artists to paint modern life. His impressionist style is characterized by relatively small and thin brushstrokes that create emphasis on light depiction. Manet was one of the key artists in the transition from realism to impressionism, along with Claude Monet, Edgar Degas, and Pierre-Auguste Renoir. However, he resisted involvement in any one specific style of painting, and only presented his work to the Salon of Paris instead of impressionist exhibitions. His early masterworks, The Luncheon on the Grass and Olympia, created great controversy and served as a rallying point for other young painters.