A Bar At The Folies Analysis

A Bar at the Folies-Bergère, Manet’s last major work, depicts a cynical view of modernity where subtle suggestions of the impact of consumerism, the mixing of social classes and class ambiguity have crept in. The café-concert culture was born out of Hussmann’s renovations, and it was common for 19th century artists to depict a vibrant café scene full of spectacle and frivolity in Haussmann’s new boulevards (Gronberg 1984). A Bar at the Folies-Bergère reveals a level of isolation and uncertainty that has become typical of modern life. The barmaid is fashionably dressed, but ambiguous in her appearance, so as to appear satisfactory to all clientele who frequent the bar (Iskin 1995). Merchandise on the bar indicates that she is a barmaid, but
is that all she is selling? Her classless appearance creates uncertainty about the true nature of her role both in the bar and in society; class ambiguity was a typical subject of concern for Parisians in the late 19th century (Clark 1999). The most insightful aspect of the image is the barmaid’s expression, she is part of the crowd and yet completely detached from them, her gaze is empty and perhaps she is disheartened by yet another unwanted but necessary proposition at the bar? In essence, as the mirror behind her is reflecting the excitement and frivolity in economic prosperity and modernisation, her gaze is reflecting the “disillusion of city life, of that sense of isolation and alienation so typical of the modern sensibility” (Fleming and Honour 2009; 710).