Active analysis LE D JEUNER SUR L HERBE (THE LUNCHEON ON THE GRASS) ARTIST TITLE DATE/YEAR MATERIALS AND TECHNIQUE DIMENSIONS LOCATION DOUARD MANET Le Déjeuner sur l Herbe (The Luncheon on the Grass) 1863 oil on canvas 208x264.5 cm Paris, Musée d Orsay This painting by Manet (Paris, 1832-1883) is set in a wood. In the near foreground, on the left, the leftovers of a picnic lunch have spilled out of an overturned basket and are scattered over the grass. Three figures occupy the center foreground: two men in elegant clothing and a completely nude woman who stares at the viewer of the painting. In the background, a scantily-clad woman bathes in a pool of water. This painting sparked controversy for two reasons. First of all, because Manet chose to portray a female nude in a real, modern setting instead of in a symbolic scene. Secondly, because the artist abandoned the traditional chiaroscuro technique and instead used strong color contrasts to highlight certain elements in the painting. Choose the correct word or phrase. 1 The basket is on a polka-dot tablecloth / dress with a straw hat nearby. The lunch consists of a piece of meat / bread and some fruit. This portion of the painting is a fine example of a still life / naturalistic landscape. Observe the painting and answer the questions below. 1 In the background, to the left of the woman, we see: a deer. a boat. a flowering meadow. 2 Are the dimensions of the woman in the background proportional to those of the other subjects? YES NO 3 What does this make you think: that the scene is real or invented by the artist? ............................................................................................ Improve your expertise 1 Change the characters and the setting of Manet s Déjeuner sur l herbe: where would you have your picnic? Who would you invite? How would you be dressed? What would you eat? Make a photocopy of the painting and use it as the support for a collage, substituting as many elements as you please. 51