The artwork, titled “Stephane Mallarmé,” was painted by Édouard Manet in 1876 in Paris, France. Rendered in oil on canvas, this portrait is an exemplar of the Impressionism movement. The dimensions of the portrait measure 27.5 by 36 centimeters, and it is currently housed at the Musée d’Orsay in Paris, France.
The artwork portrays a contemplative figure, presumably Stéphane Mallarmé, seated in a relaxed pose. The subject appears engrossed in his thoughts, with his right hand resting on an open book, suggesting a moment of intellectual reflection. The background is rendered in an earthy brown tone with sparse, abstract details that contrast subtly with the figure’s dark attire. The brushwork, typical of Impressionism, is loose and expressive, lending the portrait an air of immediacy and intimacy. The overall mood of the artwork is serene and introspective, capturing not only the likeness but also the essence of the subject’s contemplative nature.
