Manet, Édouard (1832-1883)
La Parisienne (A Parisian Lady)
1883
Oil on canvas, 192 x 125 cm
Nationalmuseum, Stockholm
This painting shows the actress Ellen André as a Parisienne, who lived and moved in the modern commercial city. Socially, she was often a young working-class woman, making a living as a model, shop assistant, waitress or prostitute. She took great care of her appearance, well aware that she was observed, but also herself an observer. Women were both idolised and restricted in the emerging consumer society. (Nationalmuseum)
See also:
• Andrée, Ellen (1857-1925)