Olympia

"Olympia" by Édouard Manet, painted in 1863, depicts a nude woman reclining on a bed, attended by a maid, and was inspired by Titian's "Venus of Urbino." The painting caused significant controversy at the 1865 Paris Salon due to its stark realism, confrontational gaze, and the perceived impropriety of its subject, challenging traditional representations of the female nude.

Édouard Manet's "Olympia," painted in 1863, depicts a reclining nude woman gazing directly at the viewer, her body outlined with stark contrasts against a dark background, while a black cat at her feet and a servant presenting flowers enhance the composition's provocative nature. The painting's use of flat planes of color and bold brushwork challenges traditional representations of the female nude, marking a significant departure from the idealized forms of academic art.