Beggar with Oysters (Philosopher)

1865–67

This work and Beggar with a Duffle Coat (Philosopher) were probably conceived as companion pieces. Manet exhibited them together in 1872, along with paintings of an absinthe drinker and a ragpicker, under the collective title Philosophers. Parisian beggars held a particular fascination for Realist artists and writers. By setting his large-scale figures against empty, dark backgrounds, Manet added to their portraitlike, indeed heroic, presence.

Public domain · CC0
Free to download and reuse. Image courtesy of Art Institute of Chicago.

Artist

Édouard Manet (French, 1832–1883)

Date

1865–67

Medium

Oil on canvas

Dimensions

188 × 111 cm (74 × 43 5/16 in.); Framed: 223.3 × 145.5 × 17.5 cm (87 7/8 × 57 1/4 × 6 7/8 in.)

Origin

France

Collection

Art Institute of Chicago

Credit

Arthur Jerome Eddy Memorial Collection