“The Conservatory” is an oil on canvas painting by Edouard Manet created in 1879 in Paris, France. This artwork is in the genre of portrait painting and is part of the Impressionism art movement. The painting measures 150 x 115 cm and is currently housed in the Gemäldegalerie in Berlin, Germany. Specifically, it is part of the collection at the Alte Nationalgalerie in Berlin.
The painting portrays a man and woman sitting in a conservatory or greenhouse amidst lush foliage. The woman is seated on a bench, donning a stylish yellow hat and a grey dress with a luxurious texture, accented with bright yellow gloves that match her hat. Her demeanor appears somewhat reserved or reflective, and she gazes off to the side. A man stands next to her, leaning on the bench, dressed in a black suit and looking intently toward the ground or perhaps at the woman’s hands. The colors are vivid, with the greenery providing a rich, textured background that contrasts the subjects’ clothing and pale complexions. The brushstrokes capture the essence of light filtering through the leaves, embodying the Impressionist emphasis on the portrayal of light and its effects.
