Blog #5 -- Manet

Manet is often called the Father of Modern Art and his influence can be found in many paintings. One obvious painting that Manet influenced is Nude with Apple by William Glackens (1910). Glackens painted this piece to look like a modern day Eve. He uses bright and vivid colors and a brushstroke that makes the painting appear a little blurred.




When this painting is compared to Manet's Olympia, there are clear comparisons. For one, the subject matter is very similar. Both paintings represent a female nude on a couch. They both show the female with an indifferent expression while staring down at us, portraying status. Therefore, Glackens imitated Manet's Olympia in its portrayal of a non-accommodating female nude. The painting technique is also alike. Although Glacken's use a more blurred brushstroke akin to his later works (ex: Woman with Fans), the color scheme is very much like the colors used in Olympia. The female is very pale in relation to the background which is relatively dark. Surrounding the female form are light sheets that make our focus in both paintings the female. Even the placement of the black cat is mirrored by the black shoe, and the flowers are represented by the flowers on the hat. While not identical to Manet's Olympia, Glacken was definitely inspired by the piece.