What are your observations on Manet's Olympia?

Answer by  SharlaBrown (221)

It's unusual compared to other paintings of women reclining, because instead of the woman being alone, there is a second figure present in the painting. This figure is a black woman, presumably the maid of the white woman who is reclining. This gives a little insight into race relations in France, where there was no slavery but still inequality.

Answer by  cmunch (97)

Manet's Olympia was not his best work. The level of skill in this painting is low, with little emotion. Especially when compared to Titian's "Venus of Urbino".

Answer by  Jessepotwin (23)

Manet's painting is atypical of the times. A nude painting, done in a contemporary setting, who stares at the viewer almost defiantly, was unheard of in the day.

Answer by  charity (9)

Manet manet. But that's not the famous Piero Umiliani's song, no. Just the effect of the scandalous confrontational gaze of the naked prostitute Olympia as depicted by the french painter.