The Role Of Impressionism In Mainstream Art

Another point of conflict between the painting and critics was the specificities of the scene painted. The maid pictured in the painting is presenting the courtesan with a bouquet of flowers, presumably offered to her as a gift from a client. Even though this situation was not uncommon, for it to be portrayed in mainstream art by one of the pre-eminent artists of the era was very controversial. I believe that this was one of the most important steps towards the evolution of art towards impressionism. This is because one of the most crucial aspects of impressionist art is the movement away from photorealistic paintings of shapes and scenes, and towards the depiction of contemporary situations and activities. To me, Olympia presents a complex
and enigmatic view of Manet. A member of Paris's upper-class in the social caste system at the time, the artist was the only artist of that time that didn't have to sell his paintings to survive. Enjoying the perks of his social class, Manet lived where he chose and socialised with the most important cultural figures of the time.