Artwork
Portrait of Émilie Ambre as Carmen
Portrait of Émilie Ambre as Carmen is an oil painting by the Impressionist artist Edouard Manet. It is held in the collection of the Philadelphia Museum of Art.
About this work
Overview
Portrait of Émilie Ambre as Carmen is an oil painting created by Édouard Manet in 1890, portraying the likeness of Émilie Ambre in a representation inspired by the character Carmen. The work is part of the collection at the Philadelphia Museum of Art.
Subject & Meaning
The subject, Émilie Ambre, is depicted in the guise of Carmen, alluding to the seductive and independent nature of the literary character. Her attire, including a red jacket with gold trim and a white scarf, and her pose, with a hand on her hip and a slight smile, convey confidence and allure.
Technique & Style
Manet executed the portrait using oil paint, characteristic of his medium of choice. The composition features a dark brown background, which contrasts with the vibrant red of the jacket and the flower in the subject's dark hair, drawing focal attention to Émilie Ambre's figure.
History & Provenance
Created in 1890, the painting is now housed at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, though specific details of its journey into the museum's collection are not provided here.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Édouard Manet didn’t have much time to make his mark—he died at 51—but he used every year.
