Edouard MANET
French 1832-1883
The ship's deck
c. 1860
oil on canvas
56.4 x 47.0cm
Felton Bequest 1926
2046/3

This nautical subject appears to be something out of the ordinary in Manet's oeuvre, as he is usually associated with the cityscape and as an observer of modern life. Although this is also an early work, it still contains many of the hallmarks of his style. The composition is typically tightly structured with strong vertical and horizontal forms that intersect, creating cruciform patterns. He also uses pure black lines and solid blocks of muted colour to help create the structure.