Study to "Dead Christ with Angels" 1864

Edouard Manet created this oil on canvas entitled “Study to ‘Dead Christ with Angels’” at an unknown date. Manet was part of a generation of artists in France who challenged academic conventions and redefined the public role of art. Manet depicts a gaunt Christ, surrounded by mourning angels. In its time, the painting was controversial. Academic painting demanded a high level of finish and smooth brushwork. But Manet was part of an avant-garde that preferred visible brushwork to create a sense of immediacy. It was also part of a revolt against the conservative institutions of the art world. One could research the institutions of the French academy, along with art criticism, to see how artists were attempting to create new means of expression in the face of established tradition. Understanding the image relies on understanding the social conditions that shape artistic production.