The Barricade (La barricade)

1871

Edouard Manet

Associated Names
Edouard Manet

Artist, French, 1832 - 1883

This is a print of an urban scene with people engaged in activity. Closest to us is a group of individuals with their backs to us, looking towards a central object resembling scaffolding or a wall made of rubble. These people all wear long coats and hats, similar to the uniform of a policeman. Another person is partially visible behind the wall of rubble, appearing to look out towards the group of men on the other side. The background features loosely sketched buildings, creating an urban environment. The print contains loose, expressive lines and varied shading, giving a dynamic impressionistic feel to the composition.

Media Options

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    crayon lithograph with scraping on chine collé [proof]

  • Credit Line

    Rosenwald Collection

  • Dimensions

    sheet (chine collé): 46 × 33.2 cm (18 1/8 × 13 1/16 in.)
    mount: 56.9 × 43.8 cm (22 3/8 × 17 1/4 in.)

  • Accession Number

    1946.21.133

  • Catalogue Raisonné

    Harris 1970, no. 71

Artwork history & notes

Provenance

Robert Hartshorne (1866-1927), New Jersey, (Lugt 2215b); by descent to his son, Richard Hartshorne; (sale, Parke-Bernet Galleries, New York, 23 January 1946, lot 105); Lessing Julius Rosenwald [1891-1971], Philadelphia, (Lugt 1932d); gift to National Gallery of Art, 1946.

Associated Names

Exhibition History

1946

  • New acquisitions in the Rosenwald Collection, National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C., 1946, no cat.

1956

  • Prints by the French Impressionists from the Lessing J. Rosenwald Collection, National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C., 1956, no cat.

1971

  • The Indignant Eye, Boston University, 1971, no. 62.

1995

  • Prints by James McNeill Whistler and His Contemporaries, National Gallery of Art, Washington, 1995, as The Barricade.

2024

  • Paris 1874: The Impressionist Moment, Musée d'Orsay, Paris, France, National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C., 2024-2025, no. 7, repro.

Bibliography

1970

  • Harris, Jean C. Edouard Manet, graphic works; a definitive catalogue raisonne. New York: Collector's Editions, 1970.

1999

  • Wood, Paul, ed. The Challenge of the Avant-Garde. New Haven, 1999: 124, pl. 92.

2024

  • Patry, Sylvie, and Robbins, Anne, editors. Paris 1874: The Impressionist Moment. Exh. cat. Musée d'Orsay, Paris, France; National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C., 2024-2025: no. 7. 18-19.

Inscriptions

verso, lower left, in graphite, by later hand: 20741 / 74 [encircled]; verso, upper right, in graphite, by later hand: 2 in mat all around

Markings

verso, stamped in black ink: National Gallery of Art Rosenwald Collection (Lugt 1932d); verso, stamped in black ink: Robert Hartshorne stamp (Lugt 2215b)

Watermarks

none

Wikidata ID

Q65071963

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