Analysis of Manet’s Dejeuner Sur l’herbe Commenting on Composition and Relationship 
Ned Hillsborough 24th September
Analysis of Manet’s Dejeuner Sur l’herbe commenting on: composition and relationship between the figure and setting, depiction of space and depth, light and shadow, use of colour
Manet composes the painting in such a way that the subject matter and general acquisition of mood are addressed immediately. The mood seems controversially relaxed at once due to the casual seating of the men despite their formal wear, as well as being sat with a nude woman – a rare sight as her clothes are messily in a heap at the front right part of the picture. Any potential visual imbalance is countered by the space towards the back right of the picture, despite it appearing there are more elements on the left side of the picture. The picture is further balanced by the lines of trees, creating two rows back into the distance, and the river being at the centre of the photo harmonises the sense of balance. Not only do the trees suggest equality, but they direct the eyes toward the centre of the photo where the three people sit in conversation; the absence of a near tree on the right hand side is made up for by the man in black, who points the eye towards the naked lady in the middle. The colours are more detailed towards the front of the painting, and there is also a clear contrast between defined figure and more lax flowing ground throughout the painting. The real contrast in colour is from foreground to back, as the foreground has more blacks (although it seems no darker) whereas the background is lighter; this suggests a sense of recession in light intensity as the front is surrounded by trees whereas towards the back there is more space, therefore appearing lighter. Manet uses various techniques to create space and depth, as well as his variation of light and dark colours. The trees become smaller as they go towards the difference, and their trunks become less defined suggesting they are out of the immediate sight of the painter
Analysis of Manet’s Dejeuner Sur l’herbe commenting on: composition and relationship between the figure and setting, depiction of space and depth, light and shadow, use of colour
Manet composes the painting in such a way that the subject matter and general acquisition of mood are addressed immediately. The mood seems controversially relaxed at once due to the casual seating of the men despite their formal wear, as well as being sat with a nude woman – a rare sight as her clothes are messily in a heap at the front right part of the picture. Any potential visual imbalance is countered by the space towards the back right of the picture, despite it appearing there are more elements on the left side of the picture. The picture is further balanced by the lines of trees, creating two rows back into the distance, and the river being at the centre of the photo harmonises the sense of balance. Not only do the trees suggest equality, but they direct the eyes toward the centre of the photo where the three people sit in conversation; the absence of a near tree on the right hand side is made up for by the man in black, who points the eye towards the naked lady in the middle. The colours are more detailed towards the front of the painting, and there is also a clear contrast between defined figure and more lax flowing ground throughout the painting. The real contrast in colour is from foreground to back, as the foreground has more blacks (although it seems no darker) whereas the background is lighter; this suggests a sense of recession in light intensity as the front is surrounded by trees whereas towards the back there is more space, therefore appearing lighter. Manet uses various techniques to create space and depth, as well as his variation of light and dark colours. The trees become smaller as they go towards the difference, and their trunks become less defined suggesting they are out of the immediate sight of the painter