Man Wearing a Cloak [recto]

1850

In Thomas Couture's studio

Fearing the overly rigid academic programme of the École des Beaux-Arts, in 1850 Manet entered the studio of the fashionable Thomas Couture, who had become famous in 1847 for his monumental canvas “The Romans of the Decadence”.

1850–1856

A break with Couture and a return at his father's insistence

Manet increasingly rejected the bourgeois bent of the dominant style and finally left Couture's studio, but at his father's insistence he had to apologise and return, keeping his rejection of strict academicism.

1853

A journey through Italy and the museums of Central Europe

Fascinated by old painting, Manet repeatedly visited Dutch museums, where he admired Frans Hals, and in 1853 made the journey to Italy traditional for French artists, to Venice and Florence. His way back was long, taking in the museums of Dresden, Prague, Vienna and Munich.

1856

Opens his own studio

In 1856 Manet opened a studio. His style in this period was characterised by loose brush strokes, simplification of details and the suppression of transitional tones; he adopted the realism initiated by Gustave Courbet.

1856–1858

Baudelaire and the studio on Rue Lavoisier

In 1856–1858 Manet became known as a promising artist and was invited to various salons, forming a particularly warm friendship with the poet Charles Baudelaire. Together with Count Albert de Balleroy he rented premises on Rue Lavoisier as a studio, and went to the Louvre every day to copy famous paintings.

1859

“The Absinthe Drinker” rejected; a final break with Couture

In 1859 Manet decided that his education was complete and submitted “The Absinthe Drinker” to the Salon; Couture reacted negatively and Manet finally broke with his teacher. The Salon jury rejected the painting: only Delacroix voted for it, while Couture voted against.