Spring (Manet)

Spring (Manet), also known as Le Printemps, is an 1881 painting by Édouard Manet. It is one of the last major works completed by the French Impressionist painter before his death in 1883.

The painting depicts Jeanne Demarsy, a celebrated Parisian actress, as an allegorical representation of Spring. She is shown wearing a floral dress and bonnet, holding a sprig of flowers, and standing against a leafy green background. Manet intended Spring to be part of a series of four paintings, each representing a different season. However, he only completed Spring and a sketch of Autumn before his death.

The painting is notable for its vibrant colors, loose brushstrokes, and emphasis on capturing the fleeting beauty of the moment. It exemplifies Manet's later style, moving away from the realism of his earlier works towards a more Impressionistic approach.

Spring was exhibited at the Paris Salon in 1882, where it was well-received by critics and the public alike. It is now considered one of Manet's masterpieces and is part of the collection of the J. Paul Getty Museum in Los Angeles. The painting represents a shift in Manet's focus from modern life to more traditional allegorical subjects, albeit rendered in a modern, Impressionistic style.