MANET, Edouard
(b. 1832, Paris, d. 1883, Paris)

Corner of a Café-Concert

1878-80
Oil on canvas, 97 x 78 cm
National Gallery, London

Manet liked the atmosphere of the cafés and brasseries. A city-dweller, he relaxed after work in the café as others might in the garden. There he met his friends.

The present painting belongs to Manet's Naturalist series. He creates his figures and details the scene in broad strokes of blue and brown, a harmony ho particularly affected.

This work was originally the right half of a painting of the Brasserie de Reichshoffen, begun in about 1878 and cut in two by Manet before he completed it.