Manet, Olympia

Édouard Manet, Olympia, oil on canvas, 1863 (Musée d'Orsay, Paris) Speakers: Dr. Beth Harris and Dr. Steven Zucker
Édouard Manet brought to Realism his curiosity about social mores. However, he was not interested in mirroring polite parlor conversations and middle class promenades in the Bois de Boulogne (Paris’ Central Park). Rather, Manet invented subjects that set the Parisians’ teeth on edge.
In 1865, Manet submitted his risqué painting of a courtesan greeting her client (in this case, you), Olympia, of 1863, to the French Salon. The jury for the 1865 Salon accepted this painting despite their disapproval of the subject matter, because two years earlier, Manet’s Luncheon on the Grass created such a stir when it was rejected from the Salon. (It was instead exhibited in Emperor Napoleon III’s conciliatory exhibition-the Salon des Réfusés, or the Exhibition of the Refused. Crowds came to the Salon des Réfusés specifically to laugh and jeer at what they considered Manet’s folly.)
Somehow they were afraid another rejection would seem like a personal attack on Manet himself. The reasoning was odd, but the result was the same-Olympia became infamous and the painting had to be hung very high to protect it from physical attacks.
Manet was a Realist, but sometimes his “real” situations shocked and rocked the Parisian art world to its foundations. His later work was much tamer.
(Text by Dr. Beth Gersh-Nesic)
. Created by Beth Harris and Steven Zucker.

[@michaeltraub3614]

When I saw this painting nearly 50 years ago I was overwhelmed by its sheer size. It is a huge canvas, something that you cannot appreciate in a reproduction in a book, say.

[@sopranozzz]

I have a confession to make....This is my second video watching through "smart history" and while I was watching, I was constantly thinking that I had heard Dr. Beth Harris talking before........ Mystery solved : Her voice is ALIKE to Zoe Barnes' voice from "The house of cards" series ! ! ! ....Now I can peacefully continue my studying, thank you for your fine descriptions ! ! !

[@KenKen-lc5lr]

Would love to see a series on the French Academics, William Bouguereau deserves a revival in interests as well. :)

[@abelsincain]

Great description of this work of art, thank you.

[@parisbreakfast]

Very informing with lots of good details. Thanks!

[@andrewbellavie795]

I'd like to know more about the cat in this painting please

[@johnricard5760]

Timestamps (Powered by Merlin AI) 00:04 - Manet modernizes traditional nude themes. 01:00 - Explanation of academic art in France 01:54 - Manet's Olympia challenges traditional ideals of beauty. 02:46 - Manet's 'Olympia' challenges traditional beauty standards. 03:40 - Challenging 19th-century Parisian norms through Olympia's portrayal 04:27 - Manet challenges traditional representations of space 05:22 - Manet challenges perfect illusions and our gaze in 'Olympia'. 06:18 - Manet challenges art conventions and explores honesty in art.

[@rctm1313]

Beautiful, more engaging than The Mona Lisa imo

[@darklingeraeld-ridge7946]

Baudelaire: "...show me what remains of life."

[@metademetra]

Yeah this painting came off as a bit harsh when I looked at it. What I think it is is the way the light is just so damn bright. This figure honestly looks overexposed. It looks like the woman doing the pose had someone take a photo of her with just way too much light in the room, and then mailed it to him.

[@OlimpiaFonseca]

My name is Olimpia trippy

[@ls2163]

5:57 what is this painting called?

[@smarthistory-art-history]

Each image is cited at the end of the video.

[@layyeechua4240]

The Birth of Venus

[@katgongora]

I think that Olympia looks like a “real woman” but so do the classic depictions of women too, especially compared to today beauty’s standards. Just a side note cuz I’m watching this for a class lol

[@smarthistory-art-history]

Hi there Holy Grass, can you tell your teacher that there is a new version this video. It can be found here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/pHfLmKxvotCBiNE Many thanks.

[@jazz4dayz543]

some interesting viewpoints but the cuts in the audio are pretty annoying, tbh. Too jumpy.

[@Bulacanos]

This painting looks like it was taken by a polaroid.

[@davidharrison7825]

I think the analysis of this painting is lost today. The Olympia is now no different from the Venous and modern views have no *SHOCK* when seeing the nude women eye to eye