The artwork titled “Street Singer” was painted by Edouard Manet around the year 1862 in Paris, France. This oil-on-canvas painting is part of the Realism art movement. The portrait, measuring 171.1 x 105.8 cm, is currently housed at the Museum of Fine Arts (MFA) in Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
The artwork portrays a female street singer who appears to be caught in a candid moment, as she holds a bouquet of cherries and seems to be eating some. She is dressed in a voluminous, grey dress with a fitted bodice and wide sleeves, suggesting the fashion of the time. Her other hand holds a musical instrument, likely a guitar, which rests against her body. The background is rather dim and neutral, possibly suggesting the entrance to a poorer abode, and adding a sense of drama and focus on the central figure. The artist captures this scene with a high degree of realism, paying detailed attention to the textures of the fabric and the subtle expressions on the woman’s face. Through this portrait, Manet provides a glimpse into the life of a street performer in 19th century Paris.
