Beggar with a Duffle Coat (Philosopher)

1865–67

This painting and Beggar with Oysters 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

187.7 × 109.9 cm (73 7/8 × 43 1/4 in.); Framed: 222.6 × 145.1 × 17.5 cm (87 5/8 × 57 1/8 × 6 7/8 in.)

Origin

France

Collection

Art Institute of Chicago

Credit

A. A. Munger Collection