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La Victoire de Samothrace, Unknown, 190 BC

Asparagus

Manet

1880

This small painting is relatively unknown.

While most people know Manet for his provocative works like Olympia or The Luncheon on the Grass, this shows a softer, more intimate side of the artist.

In 1880, Charles Ephrussi, a famous critic and art collector, commissioned Manet to paint a bunch of asparagus.

He paid Manet 200 francs extra by mistake.

Manet, always the gentleman, painted this painting, with a unique asparagus.

He sent it to Ephrussi with a note : “This one was missing from your bunch!".