''Spring'' is a painting by

Édouard Manet Édouard Manet (, ; ; 23 January 1832 – 30 April 1883) was a French modernist painter. He was one of the first 19th-century artists to paint modern life, as well as a pivotal figure in the transition from Realism to Impressionism. Bo ...

that was created in 1881. It debuted at the Paris Salon of 1882 and was considered the greatest and final public success of Manet's Salon career. It depicts Parisian actress Jeanne DeMarsy in a floral dress with parasol and bonnet against a background of lush foliage and blue sky, as the embodiment of Spring. The painting also became the first work of art ever to be published in color.

Background

''Spring'' was the first of a planned quartet of allegorical works using chic Parisian women to depict the four seasons. The idea came from Manet's friend,

Antonin Proust Antonin Proust (15 March 183220 March 1905) was a French journalist and politician. Antonin Proust was born at Niort, Deux-Sèvres. In the 1840s, Proust attended the Collège Rollin where he met lifelong friend Édouard Manet. In September 1850, ...

, who suggested a series of seasons personified by contemporary ideals of women, fashion and beauty. The series was never finished and Manet died a year after finishing only the second of the series, ''Autumn''.

Auction

In November 2014, the

J. Paul Getty Museum The J. Paul Getty Museum, commonly referred to as the Getty, is an art museum in Los Angeles, California housed on two campuses: the Getty Center and Getty Villa. The Getty Center is located in the Brentwood neighborhood of Los Angeles and fea ...

paid more than $65 million for the painting, surpassing the previous record of $33.2 million for a Manet which was paid for '' Self Portrait With a Palette'' in 2010.

References

{{Authority control (arts) Paintings by Édouard Manet 1881 paintings Paintings in the collection of the J. Paul Getty Museum

Background

Auction

See also

References