Artwork
The Races (Les courses)
The Races (Les courses) is an ink print by the Impressionist artist Edouard Manet. It dates from 1865 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
The work titled The Races (Les courses) is a lithographic print executed by the French painter Edouard Manet in 1865. As a print, it belongs to the graphic oeuvre of the artist, differing from his oil paintings in both material and production method.
Technique & Style
Created through the lithographic process, the image was drawn on a limestone surface with a greasy medium, then chemically treated to retain the drawn areas while repelling ink. Manet’s handling of line and tonal contrast in this medium reflects his interest in contemporary subjects and his adaptation of painterly concerns to printmaking.
History & Provenance
The lithograph emerged during a period when Manet was experimenting with various media beyond oil. While specific exhibition or ownership details are scarce, the piece exemplifies his mid‑career output and contributes to the broader catalogue of his graphic works produced in the 1860s.
Artist & collection
Artist
Édouard Manet didn’t have much time to make his mark—he died at 51—but he used every year.
