In 1863, the French painter Ernest Meissonier was one of the most famous artists in the world and a favorite at the 'Salon', the major public art exhibition held twice a year in Paris. In contrast, Manet was struggling in obscurity. Starting from the year when Manet presented his groundbreaking work 'Déjeuner Sur L'Herbe' and culminating in 1974 with the first 'Impressionist' exhibition, Ross King delves into the life of Paris during a decade filled with social and political turmoil with his usual narrative prowess. These were the years when the authoritarian and entertaining Second Empire of Napoleon III fell from its heights in the ignorance of the Franco-Prussian war and the subsequent Paris Commune in 1871. However, it was also a period during which a group of artists, with Manet at the forefront, began to challenge the established order, turning to the landscapes and common people they observed around them. The rivalry between Meissonier and Manet over how their works would be proudly displayed at the Salon was not just about art but also about how we view the world.

Pages: 464, Dimensions: 13x13cm