Artwork

The Urchin

The Urchin, by Edouard Manet, 1862
The Urchin, by Edouard Manet, 1862

The Urchin is a print by the Impressionist artist Edouard Manet. It dates from 1862 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

The Urchin, created by Édouard Manet in 1862, is a drawing housed at The Cleveland Museum of Art. It depicts a solemn young boy with a subtle, enigmatic expression, accompanied by a rooster emerging from a cloth bag he holds.

Subject & Meaning

The subject is a common, everyday child, reflecting a prevalent artistic theme of the time: portraying ordinary youngsters in mundane situations. The boy's serious yet slightly smiling face adds depth, while the rooster's presence introduces an element of intrigue.

Technique & Style

Executed as a drawing, the piece features a dark-coated figure set against a plain background, emphasizing the subject's contemplative demeanor. Manet's signature appears in the corner, with the French title *Le Gamin* (The Urchin) noted at the bottom.

History & Provenance

Created in 1862, the work is part of The Cleveland Museum of Art's collection, where it is available for public viewing.

Artist & collection

Portrait of Edouard Manet

Artist

Edouard Manet

Édouard Manet didn’t have much time to make his mark—he died at 51—but he used every year.

This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: Cleveland Museum of Art open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.