Guerre Civile (Civil War)
About this artwork
In 1871 the Franco-Prussian War sparked a period of civil unrest in Paris. Ordinary people united to overthrow the French regime which had failed to protect the city. The temporary government, known as the Commune, lasted three months before it was violently supressed by official French forces. In this powerful image, a dead revolutionary in uniform is lying behind a makeshift barricade, a white flag of surrender in his hand. The legs in pinstriped trousers belong to a civilian, adding to the horror of the scene. Along with The Barricade, this was the first work by Manet to enter the national collection.
Published July 2022
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artist:Edouard Manet (1832 - 1883) French
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title:Guerre Civile (Civil War)
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date created:1871
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materials:Lithograph with scratching
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measurements:Plate: 39.50 x 50.60 cm
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object type:
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credit line:Purchased 1983
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accession number:P 2834
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gallery:
Edouard Manet
Edouard Manet
Manet was born into an affluent Parisian family, and was encouraged by his uncle to pursue a career in the arts. Manet received initial training from the history painter Thomas Couture, but quickly became dissatisfied with conventional painting. He was attracted to modern subjects; scenes of the...