Charles Baudelaire, In Profile II

Charles Baudelaire, In Profile II by Édouard Manet French, 1832-1883, is an intimate and definitive representation of the influential Symbolist poet. Executed between 1867 and 1868, this print captures the artist’s friend and literary mentor shortly before Baudelaire’s death. The work utilizes the demanding technique of etching, enriched by the application of plate tone in black on ivory laid paper. This medium classification underscores Manet’s dedication to exploring graphic arts, a pursuit that complemented his revolutionary efforts in painting during the height of French modernism.

The decision to render Baudelaire in stark profile lends the portrait a monumental, almost medallic quality, emphasizing the poet’s intellectual rigor and melancholy demeanor. Manet employs sharp, decisive lines characteristic of the etching process to define the poet’s features and characteristic high collar, while the plate tone introduces subtle atmospheric effects, preventing the image from appearing strictly academic.

The relationship between Manet and Baudelaire was central to the development of avant-garde art in France. Baudelaire, a significant critic himself, championed Manet’s work and encouraged his engagement with contemporary life. This print stands as a powerful record of that intellectual exchange. Manet produced multiple portraits of Baudelaire, demonstrating his commitment to documenting his fellow artists. This important piece, Charles Baudelaire, In Profile II, is now preserved within the extensive collection of the Art Institute of Chicago, allowing for scholarly study of Manet’s graphic accomplishments. The enduring nature of these historical prints ensures that such masterworks remain accessible, frequently entering the public domain to inspire new generations.