Manets A Bar at the Folies Bergere
Manet's painting, A Bar at the Folies-Bergere, was an integral factor in the rise of a new era in art; through the emergence of a contemporary Parisian city, Modern art began to flourish during the late 1800's. Being a painting of extreme complexity and ambiguity, many art critics have commented on the formal aspects of the painting, as well as the social reactions to this specific, and novel form of art. The purpose and meaning of the mirror behind the lady and the disparity of reality versus reflections, pose immense controversy and are discussed in Robert Herbert's essay, Impressionism: Art, Leisure, & Parisian Society, Bradford R. Collins, Twelve Views Of Manet's Bar, Jack Flam's "Looking into the Abyss: The poetics of Manet's A Bar At the Folies-Bergere", and T.J. Clark's, The Painting of Modern Life. Moreover, these authors's united their interpretations of this painting with the idea of a new Parisian lifestyle and conduct. Presented in this painting is the scene of a young, engaging barmaid at the Folies-Bergere music hall. She is standing behind a marble counter, which is covered with wine bottles, fruits, and flowers. Behind her are the essential element of the paint
Indeed, Manet presented the world with a puzzling piece of art, however, he also prepared society for a new way of interpreting art and life. What both Herbert and Flam agree on is that because of the extreme stoicism of the lady, the viewer is inclined to take on the role of the man in the mirror, and view the scene from a different perspective. As Herbert states, because we are in the position where he would occupy the bar, "he becomes our second self." Flam states that Manet allows us "a similar double vision throughout the medium of the magical vision." He deems this feature as a type of monologue between people. Although Clark does acknowledge that "we must be where he is", he feels that we are the center, and that surely the man's interaction with the barmaid should not be the basis for our interpretation. ing; the mirror that reflects the setting in which she is serving, as well as a peculiar man with a moustache. The barmaid, is confined to the narrow space behind the bar, however in the reflection, Manet introduces the new recreational activities of the elite, and sophisticated Parisians. Despite her lack of expression, Herbert clearly states that Manet has given the barmaid facing the audience a feeling of dignity and self-worth, contrary to the Parisian customs. It was thought that women were hired to increase the sales of drinks, and were made as vehicles for sexual favors, and other kinds of business. Herbert also says that barmaids at the time were known for "loose morals." He says that the lady has an ambiguous demeanor, yet her frontal image is "correct, even distant from us." She conceals her character in a firm way, and does not solicit any other information. Collins states that Manet's primary objective was to "capture in paint that life's particular character and interests." However, in the mirror, an entirely different disposition is seen, in which she is giving herslef over to the m
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Approximate Word count = 1302
Approximate Pages = 5 (250 words per page double spaced)
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