The artwork titled “Boating” was created by the esteemed artist Édouard Manet in 1874 in Paris, France. Executed in oil on canvas, this piece is a notable example of the Impressionism movement and falls under the genre of genre painting. Measuring 97.2 by 130.2 centimeters, it is currently housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art (Met) in New York City, New York, United States.
In “Boating,” Manet captures a serene scene on the water, depicting a man and a woman enjoying a leisurely boat ride. The man, dressed in a white shirt and pants with a straw hat, holds an oar and faces the viewer with a contemplative expression, while the woman, adorned in a vibrant blue dress and wearing a bonnet, reclines comfortably at the stern. The background showcases a calm, blue expanse of water, rendered with fluid, expressive brushstrokes characteristic of Manet’s Impressionist technique. The overall composition exudes a sense of tranquility and the simplicity of everyday leisure, emphasizing the interplay of light and color reflective of the Impressionist style.