Manet malt Monet: Ein Sommer in Argenteuil

by Willibald Sauerlander

Willibald Sauerländer erzählt in dieser glänzenden Studie von einer glücklichen Stunde in der Geschichte der Malerei. Im Sommer 1874 treffen sich Manet und Monet, die herausragenden Künstler des eben entstehenden Impressionismus, in den Ferien in Argenteuil an der Seine. Ihre Annäherung findet in ihren Bildern statt und gipfelt in Manets herrlichem Porträt, das den malenden Monet in dessen Atelierboot zeigt.
Das Boot war sozusagen Programm: Es war der ideale Ort für Monets neue Freiluftmalerei. Von hier aus konnte er die Natur, das Wasser und das Spiel des Lichtes schildern. Manet hingegen, der große Maler des modernen Lebens, kommt nach Argenteuil und studiert die Pariser Gesellschaft in ihrer Freizeit. In seinem Porträt kommt schließlich alles zusammen und wird doch nicht eins: Manets eigener Blick für die Menschen in ihren Zwängen und ihrer Langeweile und der Blick des Freundes für die freie Natur. Sprachlich brillant und mit bestechender Klarheit zeigt Willibald Sauerländer, wie Manet mit seinem Bild des Künstlers auf dem Wasser ein Programmbild der ganzen Epoche schuf - und dabei die künstlerischen Tendenzen der Zeit für einen kurzen Moment in einem so leichten wie hintergründigen Meisterwerk verband.

Genres: Art, Nonfiction, History

77 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 2014

About the author

Willibald Sauerländer is a German art historian specializing in Medieval French sculpture. From 1970 to 1989, he was director of the prestigious Zentralinstitut für Kunstgeschichte, Munich.
he began studying art history in 1946 and received his Ph.D. in art history at the Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, Munich in 1953 under Hans Jantzen. After leaving university, he went to Paris for five years. From 1959 to 1961, he taught art history in Paris, and in 1961 in Princeton, NJ at the Institute for Advanced Study.

Reviews

[Carina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Full of anecdotes, french quotes and art-historical knowledge about Manet's (and Monet's) work, I liked :)

[Tudor Ciocarlie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it!

[Andrea Engle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Shortly after the end of the Franco-Prussian War, Manet joined his friend Monet in Argenteuil for a summer of painting ... this comparison of their styles and the paintings they created that summer culminates in an examination of Manet's masterpiece, "Claude Monet in his Floating Studio" ... brief, but to the point, generously illustrated ...

[Moriah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Episode 3 of books I pulled off the nonfiction shelf on a random Monday night. I love Monet and had recently seen a picture he painted of Manet that I really enjoyed so when I saw this short book detailing some of their experience together one summer painting, I was intrigued. Adapted from a lecture, this short boom was a nice historical and artistic analysis of this period for the two painters!

[Phoebe A · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've always been fascinated about Claude Monet & Édouard Manet's works. I read about Impressionism so Monet is not foreign to me. However, I only knew little about Manet.

The book served as a timeline of events started on war, which Manet volunteered as National Guard, up to the time he met Monet in Argenteuil. The book emphasized the difference of their styles. I like the juxtaposition of both artists. Monet mostly focused on nature while Manet focused on people. I was a little surprised to learn that they were friends. All I know was that Monet idolized Manet but he intended to surpass the skills of Manet. Funny how I thought they were vying for being the best artist and had an unhealthy relationship.

The book also includes images of their paintings and some details of when Manet and Monet did their paintings. I like how the author wrote some explanations and stories. But I don't like it when he describes every paintings because it is very clear to see. The paintings say it all, no need for excessive descriptions.

[Mandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This beautifully illustrated book focuses on the summer of 1874 when Manet and Monet holidayed together in Argenteuil. The summer was fruitful for both of them, for their friendship and their work. But the book is more than just an examination of one summer. The author has filled in the background and goes on to talk about what each artist did next. He includes a wonderful selection of the art and altogether the book is both a joy to read and study and extremely illuminating. The text began life as a lecture but has been expanded to form an invaluable work of art history.

[Am Y · Rating 3 out of 5]

A pleasant read with accompanying pictures of the paintings mentioned. It gives a brief glimpse into the relationship between Manet and Monet, and how one sought to emulate the other. As a huge Monet fan, it was very nice to read more about the things which inspired him, his painting style, as well as his liaisons with other artistic contemporaries. We are told the story more from Manet's perspective, but it was interesting nonetheless.

[Robert Paul Olsen · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great little read, it begins with the Franco-Prussian War and the effect it had on Manet, a true patriot and lover of his country, bringing him and his family to a state of ennui. The story moves on thru some bland years until he hooks up with Monet (the Raphael of water), and produces this wonderful painting.

[Eileen Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fascinating account of the summer when two great artists stayed and painted together in the lovely French village of Argenteuil.
I was given a digital copy by the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest unbiased review.

[Paul · Rating 3 out of 5]

Manet pays his respects and homage to Monet "as evidence of his conversion to Impressionism." (47)