Items Similar to Christ as a Gardener by Edouard Manet
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 9
Édouard ManetChrist as a Gardener by Edouard ManetCirca 1856-59
Circa 1856-59
About the Item
Edouard Manet
1832-1883 French
Christ as a Gardener
Oil on canvas
Beloved for his invaluable role in the development of the Impressionist movement, Edouard Manet's artworks are foundational to the canon of art history. The revolutionary artist's rare religious works, while lesser-known, are some of the most intimate paintings he ever produced, offering insight into the artist’s fascination with the idea of humanity’s beautiful and transcendent relationship with suffering. Begun in 1856, Christ as a Gardener is one of his earliest renderings of Christ and offers a view into nascent motifs that would later define Manet’s monumental legacy. In the painting, Christ’s profile is turned toward the viewer, though his face is turned to the bottom left of the frame and his downturned eyes avert the viewer's gaze. His brown robes contrast the warm light of his halo and the dramatic sky behind him.
As with all of Manet’s work, this image is rich with symbolism. A partial self-portrait, as seen in the similar facial hair and iconic appearance of a paintbrush-like garden tool, the painting renders the biblical scene of Mary Magdalene mistaking the risen Christ for a gardener with personal intimacy. As the biblical tale relays, when Mary Magdalene recognizes Christ, she reaches out to him; he replies, “Touch me not.” The highly charged relationship between the Christ figure and the viewer, standing in as Mary Magdalene, is further emphasized by Christ’s hand that appears to reach out for contact. Through this extension of touch, Christ’s presence is tangible, reminiscent of Michelangelo’s Creation of Adam in the Sistine Chapel. This intimate initiation of human connection directly contrasts Christ’s biblical words, “Touch me not.”
Scholars have attributed this rejection, both in gaze and through words, to Manet’s conviction that Christ, as a human, embodied a spirit of renunciation and rejection of his earthly existence. Christ’s distant expression suggests a willingness to be elsewhere — an expression that Manet will later use in his most distinguished works of art.
Manet would go on to expand his view of Christ as a timeless embodiment of absolute commitment and suffering with his monumental Salon paintings The Dead Christ with Angels (1864) and Jesus Mocked by Soldiers (1865). Both paintings were admired by few and scorned by many, thus halting Manet’s professional exploration of religious subjects. Though he included religious-like symbolism in his later masterpieces The Execution of Maximilian (1868) and his masterpiece A Bar at Folies-Bergère (1882), the face of Christ never again appeared in his oeuvre.
A leader among his contemporaries in the Parisian avant-garde, Manet was undoubtedly the most important figure in the Impressionist movement. Considered the elder of the group, he was already a famous artist when Claude Monet, Pierre-Auguste Renoir and Edgar Degas began their artistic careers. He earned his first honorable mention at the Paris Salon as early as 1861 and made waves with his scandalous Déjeuner sur l’Herbe, now in the Musée d’Orsay, in 1867. The first artist to paint everyday scenes of people and modern life, his paintings helped transition the art world from Realism to Impressionism in the late 19th century.
Christ as a Gardener is accompanied by a certificate of authenticity from the Wildenstein Institute.
Circa 1856-59
Canvas: 26 3/4" high x 22 1/4" wide (67.95 x 56.52 cm)
Frame: 36 3/8" high x 32 1/8" wide x 1 1/8" deep (92.39 x 81.60 cm)
To view the entire painting dossier on PDF please click: Christ as a Gardener by Edouard Manet
Exhibitions:
“MANET-SEHEN, Der Blick Der Moderne”, Hamburger Kunsthalle, 27 May - 4 September 2016.
Literature:
Rouart-Wildenstein, Edouard Manet Catalogue Raisonné, Bibliotheque des Arts, 1975, vol.I, no. 14 (ill.)
Théodore Duret, Histoire d’Edouard Manet et de son oeuvre, Floury, Paris, 1902, p. 207, No. 60 (ill.)
Französische Kunst des XIX. Jahrhunderts, Galerie Heinemann, Munich, April 1913, no. 121 (ill.)
P. Jamot et G. Wildenstein, Edouard Manet, Introduction par Paul Jamot, Paris 1932, no. 6 (ill.)
A. Tabarant, Manet et ses Oeuvres, Paris 1947, p.24, no. 16 “Christ à la pioche” (ill.)
D. Rouart et S. Orienti, Tout l'Oeuvre Peint d'Edouard Manet, Flammarion 1970, Nr. 12 (ill.)
Nancy Locke, Manet and the Family Romance, Princeton University Press, 2001, p. 136 (ill.)
“MANET-SEHEN, Der Blick Der Moderne”, Hamburger Kunsthalle exhibition catalog (Imhof Verlag 2016), Kat. 11 p.116 (ill. with an error of dimension)
Provenance:
Abbé HUREL (Auguste-Jean, b.1831) vicar of La Madeleine Church, Paris.
Marquis de NARBONNE-LARA (Louis-Henry Manrique,1825-1900), 248 rue de Rivoli, Paris.
Galerie HEINEMANN, München, 1912
Dr. Richard WERNER, Stuttgart, 1916
Private collection, Stuttgart
Sale, Nagel Auktionen, 26 April 2007, lot 809
Private collection, West Palm Beach, FL
M.S. Rau, New Orleans
- Creator:Édouard Manet (1832 - 1883, French)
- Creation Year:Circa 1856-59
- Dimensions:Height: 36.38 in (92.41 cm)Width: 32.13 in (81.62 cm)Depth: 1.13 in (2.88 cm)
- Medium:
- Movement & Style:
- Period:
- Condition:
- Gallery Location:New Orleans, LA
- Reference Number:
Édouard Manet
Edouard Manet (1832 – 1883) was a French painter. He was one of the first 19th-century artists to paint modern life, and a pivotal figure in the transition from Realism to Impressionism. Born into an upper-class household with strong political connections, Manet rejected the future originally envisioned for him, and became engrossed in the world of painting. His early masterworks, The Luncheon on the Grass (Le déjeuner sur l'herbe) and Olympia, both 1863, caused great controversy and served as rallying points for the young painters who would create Impressionism. Today, these are considered watershed paintings that mark the start of modern art. The last 20 years of Manet's life saw him form bonds with other great artists of the time, and develop his own style that would be heralded as innovative and serve as a major influence for future painters. Although harshly condemned by critics who decried its lack of conventional finish, Manet's work had admirers from the beginning. One was Emile Zola, who wrote in 1867: "We are not accustomed to seeing such simple and direct translations of reality. Then, as I said, there is such a surprisingly elegant awkwardness ... it is a truly charming experience to contemplate this luminous and serious painting which interprets nature with a gentle brutality."
About the Seller
5.0
Vetted Seller
These experienced sellers undergo a comprehensive evaluation by our team of in-house experts.
Established in 1912
1stDibs seller since 2013
15 sales on 1stDibs
Typical response time: 3 hours
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: New Orleans, LA
- Return PolicyThis item cannot be returned.
More From This SellerView All
- Blackstone CigarsBy Norman RockwellLocated in New Orleans, LAA charming relic of a bygone era, this rare oil is the work of the inimitable American illustrator, Norman Rockwell. The iconic artist’s ability to render the details and nuances of ...Category
Early 20th Century Other Art Style Figurative Paintings
MaterialsOil, Canvas
- La lecture au jardin (Lesson in the Garden)By Georges d'EspagnatLocated in New Orleans, LAFrench Post-Impressionist painter Georges d’Espagnat captures a charming moment between a mother and her child in this vibrant oil on canvas. Rendered with a studied use of complementary colors and bold brushstrokes, the painting showcases the artist's unique Post-Impressionist style. Remembered as one of the most individualistic artists of the 20th century, his distinctive canvases bring together the loose brushwork of the Impressionists and the bold color palette favored by the Fauves. Together, they achieve a vibrant spontaneity that lends itself well to the carefree subjects of the present work. Masterfully composed, La lecture au jardin moves beyond the Impressionist instinct to capture a fleeting moment on canvas. Rather, d'Espagnat succeeds in creating a deep feeling of harmony in the work. Warm colors are perfectly balanced with cool tones, while vertical and horizontal lines are softened by the curves of the foliage and his subjects' figures. Through his simplification of forms and intentional use of color and line, he creates a scene that is carefully designed and thoroughly modern. A similar view of a mother and her child by d'Espagnat is currently in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art (New York). The Post-Impressionist painter was an individualist since his youth, choosing to forgo traditional schooling in order to independently study the Old Masters in the Louvre. He soon became involved with the most prominent Impressionist and Post-Impressionist painters of the age, including Pierre-Auguste Renoir and Paul Signac, who themselves existed outside the traditional norms of French Academic training. In 1891, he exhibited at the Salon des Refusés, and again the following year at the Salon des Indépendants. By 1895, he held his first one-man show in Paris, and just three years later his success earned him a solo show at the prestigious Durand-Ruel Gallery. Between 1905 and 1910 he made several trips to visit Renoir on the Côte d’Azur. Their close friendship resulted in a group exhibition at Marcel Bernheim...Category
Late 19th Century Post-Impressionist Portrait Paintings
MaterialsCanvas, Oil
- L’air Qu’on Respire by Jean Pierre CassigneulBy Jean-Pierre CassigneulLocated in New Orleans, LAJean-Pierre Cassigneul b.1935 French L’air qu’on respire (The Air We Breath) Signed “Cassigneul” (lower right) Signed, titled and dated "L’air qu’on respire / Cassigneul / 2001" (...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Post-Impressionist Portrait Paintings
MaterialsCanvas, Oil
- SantaBy Leslie ThrasherLocated in New Orleans, LAA Salvation Army Santa looks on with a mixture of fatigue and disinterest as a group of children tell him their Christmas gift wish lists in this lighthearted composition by leading American illustrator Leslie Thrasher. This painting was created for the December 20, 1930 issue of Liberty Magazine, for which the artist illustrated covers on a weekly basis for six consecutive years. Thrasher is known for his scenes of everyday American life imbued with a sense of humor, qualities represented to great effect in this charming painting. Born in 1889 in Piedmont, West Virginia, Thrasher studied at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts as a teenager and received a scholarship to study art abroad in Paris. Upon his return, he began studying under Howard Pyle, known as the “father of American illustration.” Thrasher sold his first cover illustration to the Saturday Evening Post in 1912, four years before Norman Rockwell’s first Post cover, and he would go on to produce over 360 magazine covers throughout his career. He painted humorous, relatable scenes of everyday life in America with colorful characters set against white backgrounds. He was also a successful commercial artist, painting advertisements for Cream of Wheat, Chesterfield Cigarettes...Category
Early 20th Century Other Art Style Figurative Paintings
MaterialsCanvas, Oil
- Egg Tapping On Easter Sunday By Hubert RitzenhofenLocated in New Orleans, LAHubert Ritzenhofen 1879-1961 German Egg Tapping on Easter Sunday Signed and dated "H. Ritzenhofen 05" (lower right) Oil on canvas This grand domestic tableau was painted by estee...Category
20th Century Figurative Paintings
MaterialsCanvas, Oil
- The Sleuth By Joseph Christian LeyendeckerBy Joseph Christian LeyendeckerLocated in New Orleans, LAJoseph Christian Leyendecker 1874-1951 | American The Sleuth Saturday Evening Post Cover, June 2, 1906 Signed "JCLeyendecker" (lower left) Oil on canvas A debonair sleuth peers t...Category
Early 20th Century Other Art Style Figurative Paintings
MaterialsCanvas, Oil
You May Also Like
- Young Girl in Summer, Andre GissonBy André GissonLocated in Fairfield, CTArtist: Andre Gisson (1921-2003) Title: Young Girl in Summer Year: circa 1973 Medium: Oil on Canvas Size: 9 x 12 inches Condition: Excellent Inscription: Signed, recto ANDRE GISSON ...Category
1970s Impressionist Figurative Paintings
MaterialsCanvas, Oil
- Rock Me Baby Oil 14 x 20 Framed Water Movement Figurative PortraitureLocated in Houston, TXLOOK FOR FREE SHIPPING AT CHECKOUT Rock Me Baby is a 14 x 20 figurative oil painting by E. Melinda Morrison. It was painted in 2019. Rock Me Baby sho...Category
2010s Impressionist Figurative Paintings
MaterialsCanvas, Oil
- Portrait of a Woman in Traditional Vietnamese Clothing in Oil on CanvasLocated in Soquel, CAPortrait of a Woman in Traditional Vietnamese Clothing in Oil on Canvas Modern impressionist portrait by an unknown artist (20th Century). A woman is wearing traditional clothing, most likely from the Nguyen Dynasty in Vietnam. She has a dark purple head covering...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist Figurative Paintings
MaterialsOil, Canvas
- First Catch of the Day - Young Fisherman at Sea by Betty Cal AlumnusLocated in Soquel, CAFirst Catch of the Day - Young Fisherman at Sea Figurative oil painting of a young boy out at sea holding a fish on his lap by Bay Area artist Betty (American, 20th C). The boy is h...Category
Late 20th Century American Impressionist Figurative Paintings
MaterialsOil, Canvas
- Restful MomentsBy Roman FrancesLocated in Atlanta, GASmall limited edition run of 49 and 6 E.A."s (Edition of the artist). Each canvas reproduction is crafted by a skilled printer under the supervision of the artist. Román Francés has...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist Portrait Paintings
MaterialsOil, Giclée, Canvas
- ThoughtfulBy Roman FrancesLocated in Atlanta, GASmall limited edition run of 49 and 6 E.A."s (Edition of the artist). Each canvas reproduction is crafted by a skilled printer under the supervision of the artist. Román Francés has...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist Portrait Paintings
MaterialsCanvas, Oil, Giclée
Recently Viewed
View AllRead More
Wear Louis Comfort Tiffany’s Genius on Your Finger with This Vivid Ring
In his jewelry making, the designer rarely used diamonds — this rare example has two.
You Won’t Find a More Handsome Stopwatch Than This 1890s Pocket Chronograph
A Grand Complication from the golden era of pocket watches, the Marius Lecoultre pocket watch does everything but uncork your wine.