Manet/Degas

Edgar Degas, Portrait of Mlle Fiocre in the Ballet “La Source” , 1867–68, Brooklyn Museum . Gift of James H. Post, A. Augustus Healy, and John T. Underwood. © Brooklyn Museum

Manet/Degas examines one of the most significant artistic dialogues in modern art history: the close and sometimes tumultuous relationship between Édouard Manet and Edgar Degas. Born only two years apart, Manet (1832–1883) and Degas (1834–1917) were friends, rivals, and, at times, antagonists who worked to define modern painting in France. By examining their careers in parallel and presenting their work side by side, this exhibition investigates how their artistic objectives and approaches both overlapped and diverged.

Through more than 150 paintings and works on paper, Manet/Degas takes a fresh look at the interactions of these two artists in the context of the family relationships, friendships, and intellectual circles that influenced their artistic and professional choices, deepening our understanding of a key moment in nineteenth-century French painting.

To access the booklet of all large-print exhibition text, click here. The website includes a link to a podcast and a playlist. There is also a link to the Virtual Premiere which will take place on 5 October.

Manet/Degas is organized by The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, and the Musées d’Orsay et de l’Orangerie, Paris.