By Rmn-Grand Palais
RMN-Grand Palais
Olympia (19th Century) by Edouard Manet (1832-1883) and Paris, musée d'OrsayOriginal Source: Paris, musée d'Orsay
This young woman, completely naked and exposed for all to see, assertively looks out at the onlooker with an almost defiant expression that caused a scandal in its time.
A servant stares at the young woman suggestively, bringing her a bouquet—perhaps a gift from an admirer, or even a client.
The little cat with a green sharp glance, a perked tail, is often perceived as an erotic allusion that reinforces the licentious atmosphere of the scene.
We would like to thank:
- For design, illustrations, writing, and coordination of the RMN-Grand Palais project: Cécile Maisonneuve (Doctor of Art History, Policy Officer, Scientific Council), Nathalie Gathelier (National Museums Speaker), Annie Madec (Iconographer), Françoise Lombardi-Peissel (Project Manager) at RMN-Grand Palais.
- For reproductions: French museum collections represented by the Photo Agency of the Réunion des musées nationaux-Grand Palais:
Montpellier, Musée Fabre; Versailles, Musée Lambinet; Lille, Palais des Beaux-Arts; Paris, The Louvre; Paris, Centre Pompidou (Musée National d'Art Moderne - Centre de Création Industrielle).
