The artwork titled “The Artist (Portrait of Gilbert Marcellin Desboutin)” was created by Edouard Manet in 1875 in Paris, France. This piece, executed with oil on canvas, belongs to the Realism art movement and measures 191 by 128 centimeters. It is a portrait genre painting currently housed at the Museo de Arte de Sao Paulo (MASP) in Sao Paulo, Brazil.
The painting portrays an artist, presumptively Gilbert Marcellin Desboutin, standing with his brushes and palette held in hand, embodying the essence of an artist in his element. He is depicted in a dark suit adorned with a bowtie, which adds to the formal ambience of the artwork. There is a dignified solemnity in his demeanor and attire, emphasizing the professional dedication of an artist. The background is largely understated, putting the focus on the subject while a dog in the lower left corner adds a touch of everyday reality to the scene. The subdued earthy tones of the painting contribute to its realistic and naturalistic portrayal, characteristic of the Realism movement.
