“The Salmon,” an esteemed work by Edouard Manet, was created around 1868 to 1869 in Paris, France. The artwork, rendered in oil on canvas, measures 72 by 92 centimeters and is characteristic of the Realism art movement. It is classified as a still life and is presently housed at the Shelburne Museum in Shelburne, Vermont, United States.
The artwork depicts a meticulously arranged still life composition. Central to the scene is a sizable salmon, with the rich, textured details of its scales and flesh rendered with striking realism. The fish rests on a white tablecloth, which cascades over the edges of the table, lending a sense of depth and balance to the composition. The arrangement includes several other objects: to the left, a delicate porcelain cup with a saucer; a knife with a yellow handle positioned at an angle; a large goblet crafted from glass adding a central vertical element; a partially-obscured bottle wrapped in straw, indicating a rustic charm; and to the right, a blue and white porcelain bowl containing two lemons, with two more lemons placed in front of it. The use of light and shadow in the artwork highlights the textures and forms, creating a vivid representation that captures the viewer’s attention and exemplifies the principles of Realism.
