Olympia
1863
Manet shocked the Parisian art world when he unveiled this bold reclining nude, replacing the traditional mythological goddess with a modern-day courtesan staring unapologetically at the viewer. The direct gaze was considered brazen and rude for the time, sparking outrage at the 1865 Salon. Notice the arched black cat at the foot of the bed—a symbol of sexuality that replaced the faithful dog found in classical nudes like Titian's Venus of Urbino. This drawing captures the raw, sketchy energy of the famous oil painting, stripping away the color to focus on the stark contrast between the pale figure and the dark, heavy curtains.
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