Théodore de Banville tourné à gauche (Second plate)
Édouard Manet
Description
Subject Matter:
This print was intended as a frontispiece for an edition of the poet Théodore de Banville's "Les Ballades," but was abandoned by Manet before it could be published. His idea was to show representations of the volume's poems emanating from the smoke of the poet's lit cigarette. It is unclear if Manet was commissioned by Banville or his publisher, or whether he initially suggested the idea to Banville.
Physical Description:
The largest and most central image is of a man wearing a beret, neck tie, and smock. He is turned slightly to his right, and writes with a quill using his left hand while holding a smoking cigarette in his right. He looks up at the viewer. Most of his clothes and his writing surface are only suggested by broad areas of aquatint and stopped-out blank spaces. Behind him and much smaller, are images of, clockwise from left: two clowns, two women, and a ship. The left and bottom of the sheet are left blank.
Usage Rights:
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