EDOUARD MANET
(1832-1883)
It is believed that this plate was etched in 1870-1 during the Siege of Paris where Manet had been forced to stay as part of the National Guard. In letters to his wife, Manet discussed scenes that he witnessed, in particular the scarcity of meat. Although this etching was not finished by Manet, it has since been titled ‘Queue…’ although it remains unclear what the actual subject is. The line at the butcher’s shop is likely since it had become a symbol of the economic crisis and featured in contemporary satires in Le Charivari.
The emphasis on pattern and the shape of the umbrellas is characteristic of the Impressionist style and reveals Manet’s interest in Japanese prints.
Copyright © Trustees of Cecil Higgins Art Gallery, Bedford.
Extract taken from Prints, Cecil Higgins Art Gallery .