Jeanne

1879–1880

Hydrotherapy at Meudon and a portrait of Émilie Ambre

From 1879 Manet received hydrotherapy at a spa near Meudon for what he believed was a circulatory problem, but was in reality locomotor ataxia. There in 1880 he painted a portrait of the opera singer Émilie Ambre as Carmen.

early 1880s

Méry Laurent: model and salon hostess

At the beginning of the 1880s one of Manet's frequent models was the “semimondaine” Méry Laurent, who posed for seven portraits in pastel; her salons hosted many French and even American writers and painters, and Manet had connections and influence through such events.

December 1881

The Légion d'honneur

In December 1881, at the recommendation of Antonin Proust, his childhood friend and the new minister, Manet was awarded the Légion d'honneur.

14 January 1882 · Award

Knight of the Legion of Honour

19 – 30 April 1883

An amputation and death eleven days later

On 19 April 1883 Manet underwent a very severe operation, the amputation of his left leg; eleven days later, on 30 April, despite the first signs of apparent recovery, he died in terrible agony.

30 April 1883

Died