The Spanish Singer

This painting brought Manet his first Salon success in 1861. He assembled the Spanish persona from studio costume and props. The guitar exposes the construction, since a left-handed performer holds an instrument strung for a right-handed player.

The singer wears a black jacket and brimmed hat. Costume creates a Spanish persona within a Paris studio.

The guitar rests on his lap. Its stringing does not suit the left-handed performer, exposing the staged construction.

A pale shoe projects from the bent, raised leg. The pose supports the instrument and gives the seated figure movement.

A green wooden bench extends behind him. The simple prop positions the model against a neutral background.

A brown ceramic jug stands on the floor. It belongs to the small selection of objects chosen for the Spanish scene.

Pale onions lie beside the jug. These objects form a small still life at the model’s feet.

This first Salon success preceded the controversy over Déjeuner sur l’herbe in 1863. Manet continued addressing the exhibition public while testing new arrangements and approaches to artistic tradition.