La Prune

1870s

Refuses to exhibit with the Impressionists

Although his own work influenced and anticipated the Impressionist style, Manet resisted involvement in Impressionist exhibitions: he did not wish to be seen as the representative of a group identity and held that modern artists should seek to exhibit at the Salon.

1874–1876

The Salon jury rejects his paintings again

In 1874 the jury rejected “Masked Ball at the Opera”, and in 1876 both paintings Manet sent. Independent exhibitions in those years brought nothing but public censure and the mockery of critics.

1879 · Résidence

8th arrondissement of Paris

1879

The Salon warmly receives “In the Conservatory” and “In the Boat”

Only in 1879 did the Salon appreciate Manet's perseverance: his canvases “In the Conservatory” and “In the Boat” were received very warmly.

September 1879

The first attack of rheumatism and ataxia

In September 1879 Manet suffered his first acute attack of rheumatism; it soon turned out that he had ataxia, a disorder of movement coordination. The illness progressed rapidly and limited his creative possibilities.

December 1879

“The Execution of Maximilian” first shown in New York

In December 1879 the singer Émilie Ambre and her lover Gaston de Beauplan organised in New York the first exhibition of “The Execution of Emperor Maximilian”.