Edouard Manet was amongst the lead painters of his time. Few of his works created controversies which were not commercial, artistic level rather, on social, ethical, diplomatic and official level as well forcing the authorities and Salon to keep many of his works from exhibitions in various parts of Europe (Mis, 2007).
This particular piece of art was abhorred based on the moral grounds presented. The woman depicted in the painting was dubbed as a promiscuous woman and the liquor placed in front of her.
Another reason to the deriding of this overall format and genre was the impressionism it promoted from its outlook. The bourgeoisie could not relate to this kind of art (Adams 2004, 45).
The Luncheon on the Grass (1863):
This was another in the series of artistic works that sparked uproar. The element of controversy and discontent was nudity on this occasion, forcing the authorities to withdraw it from the Salons (Malesky 2012, 18).
Olympia:
Displayed in 1865, the content of Olympia was no different than that of 1863’s art. It was severely criticized for nudity and the candid expressions presented along with the subject who was completely dressed in contrast to the woman in frame.
The reputation carried by Manet contributed directly to it, since he had a history of coming up with items related to nudity, ethical constrained content, impressionism and other items of dismay.
Present day comparison:
Olympia painted back in 1865 would have stirred the world equally even if it were sketched today based on the moral, ethical and social grounds compromised in the particular piece of art.
Keeping up to the masses demand, sticking to the moral and ethical dimensions and avoiding any other controversy are the ways adopted in opera and the other contemporary painters.
References:
Adams, J. (2004). Hideous Absinthe: A History of the Devil in a Bottle. I.B.Tauris.
Malesky, K. (2012). Learn Something New Every Day: 365 Facts to Fulfill Your Life. John Wiley & Sons.
Mis, M. S. (2007). Édouard Manet. The Rosen Publishing Group.
