A la fenêtre (At the Window) (plate 2) from Le Corbeau (The Raven)

A la fenêtre (At the Window) (plate 2) from Le Corbeau (The Raven) by Édouard Manet (1875) stands as an essential example of the collaboration between the French artistic and literary avant-garde in the mid-19th century. This lithograph is one of six seminal prints created to accompany Stéphane Mallarmé’s celebrated translation of Edgar Allan Poe’s poem, The Raven. Commissioned in 1875, the project was ambitious and rare, pairing Manet, a key figure of the nascent Impressionist movement, with one of the most revered Symbolist poets. Manet’s contribution elevated the classification of "Illustrated Book" to fine art, proving the power of graphic media to interpret complex literary themes with psychological intensity.

Manet employed the demanding technique of lithography, utilizing the medium to evoke the claustrophobic and psychologically tense environment described by Poe. The resulting image, centered on a figure perhaps gazing outward or inward through a window frame, utilizes dramatic, high-contrast blacks and grays. This choice demonstrates the artist’s masterful control over tonal subtlety, crucial for capturing the poem's atmosphere. Unlike his predecessors, Manet favored direct, expressive lines over highly finished detail. This approach allowed the individual prints to vividly capture the melancholy, obsessive mood of the literary source and confirmed the artist's status as a pioneer in modern graphic arts.

As one of the earliest examples of a major modern artist contributing illustrations, this work holds immense historical value within French culture. Though often reproduced today, the original prints are highly sought after by collectors, and this specific copy of the lithograph A la fenêtre (At the Window) is housed within the esteemed collection of the Museum of Modern Art, New York. This important piece from 1875 reinforces Manet’s pivotal role in transitioning art toward modernity and remains a powerful document of transatlantic literary and visual influence.