Artwork

Portrait of Georges Clemenceau

Portrait of Georges Clemenceau, by Edouard Manet, oil
Portrait of Georges Clemenceau, by Edouard Manet, oil

Portrait of Georges Clemenceau is an oil painting by the Impressionist artist Edouard Manet. It is held in the collection of the Musée d'Orsay.

About this work

Clemenceau later complained that the portrait was “very bad,” but he liked the talks they had at Manet’s home.

Portrait of Georges Clemenceau is an oil painting made by Édouard Manet in 1879. The work shows the French statesman in a seated pose. Manet wrote two letters in December 1879 and January 1880 that let us date the sitting. Clemenceau later complained that the portrait was “very bad,” but he liked the talks they had at Manet’s home. He found the painter very spiritual during the sessions. If you want to keep exploring, check out the Louvre Museum.

Overview

Édouard Manet's Portrait of Georges Clemenceau is an oil painting created in 1879, depicting the French statesman seated.

Subject & Meaning

The portrait shows Georges Clemenceau in a seated pose. Clemenceau later expressed dissatisfaction with the likeness, describing it as 'very bad', though he valued the conversations he had with Manet during the sittings.

Technique & Style

The work is executed in oil paint, a medium Manet was known to work with.

History & Provenance

Manet's letters from December 1879 and January 1880 provide evidence of the portrait's creation date. The painting is now held at the Louvre Museum.

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.

Musée d'Orsay

Museum

Musée d'Orsay

Continue through works from the same source collection.

This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: Musée d'Orsay open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.