In focus: Édouard Manet

Event information

• Type: Courses: Course
• Date: Monday, 27 July 2026
• Tickets: From £14.25
• Location: Online
• Official page: https://www.nationalgallery.org.uk/events/in-focus-edouard-manet-27-07-2026

Details

About

Join Dr Amy Mechowski for an in-depth exploration of Édouard Manet, a central figure in the emergence of modern painting.

Born in Paris in 1832 to a wealthy family, Manet trained with Thomas Couture and developed his style through close study of Old Masters such as Velázquez, adopting a bold, direct handling of paint that challenged academic convention. Often described as the elder statesman of the Impressionists, though he never exhibited with them, Manet worked at the heart of Parisian artistic life, depicting modern subjects that frequently provoked controversy.

Through close looking at key works, this session will examine how Manet combined a restricted palette, strong contrasts of light and shadow and a free, painterly technique to create striking and unconventional images. From the scandal of ‘Olympia’ to his later scenes of urban life, we will consider how Manet navigated between tradition and innovation, influencing a generation of artists while continuing to seek recognition at the Salon, and ultimately redefining the possibilities of art in the 19th century.