“The Boy with a Sword” is a work of art created by Edouard Manet in 1862 in Paris, France. This piece is an example of the Realism art movement and is executed in the medium of aquatint and etching. The artwork measures 31.8 by 23.8 centimeters and falls under the genre of portraiture.
The image shows a young boy standing in a somewhat solemn pose, facing directly towards the viewer. The boy is dressed in what appears to be a formal, perhaps even historic, fashion with a large, dark coat adorned with embellishments. His attire includes a wide sash that wraps around his waist, and he holds a sword in his left hand, the point resting on the ground, suggesting a sense of responsibility or maturity beyond his years. His expression is serious and thoughtful, emphasizing the realism for which Manet is known. The style of the etching is characterized by expressive line work, varying from delicate to bold, contributing to a sense of texture and depth, particularly in the folds of the boy’s garments and the soft shading of his face. Despite the static subject, the artwork conveys a certain energy through Manet’s skilled use of the etching medium.
