The artwork “Pertuiset, Lion Hunter,” created by Edouard Manet in 1881 in Paris, France, stands as an exemplary piece of Realism. This oil on canvas painting, measuring 150 x 170 cm, falls within the genre of genre painting and is currently housed at the Museo de Arte de Sao Paulo (MASP) in Sao Paulo, Brazil.
In the artwork, the central figure emerges prominently: a man dressed in dark attire and a hat, holding a rifle, stands in the woodland setting. A slain lion lies at his feet, adding narrative depth to the painting. The man, presumably Pertuiset, is depicted with a focused and determined expression, reflective of the hunter’s prowess. The interplay of shadows and light among the trees and the lifelike rendering of the lion highlight Manet’s mastery in capturing realism. The composition invokes a scene of accomplishment and the timeless pursuit of hunting, encapsulating the era’s fascination with such endeavors.
