Exotic Flower (Woman in a Mantilla)

Exotic Flower (Woman in a Mantilla) is an important print by French master Édouard Manet, dating from 1868. This sophisticated work was realized using etching and aquatint, printed in brown ink on fragile ivory chine and carefully laid down on a thicker ivory wove support, a process known as chine collé. The creation was a collaborative effort, with the plate published by Philippe Burty and accompanied by supporting text written by Armand Renaud. Manet utilized the complex process of aquatint to achieve subtle tonal variations, complementing the sharp linear qualities of the etching and demonstrating his early commitment to graphic arts.

The subject, a woman in a traditional Spanish mantilla, reflects the deep fascination with Spanish culture that permeated Manet's output during the 1860s. Although the title refers to her as an "exotic flower," the sitter is rendered with the immediacy and modern detachment characteristic of Manet’s style. This piece, created in France, solidified his reputation not only as a radical painter but also as a highly innovative printmaker exploring new visual effects.

Manet’s choice to produce a series of prints allowed his compositions to reach a wider audience than his controversial canvases. As an exemplary early example of Impressionist-era prints, the work holds significant historical value in the development of 19th-century graphic arts. This striking impression resides within the permanent collection of the Art Institute of Chicago. Because of its age and cultural significance, this celebrated work is often made available for study and viewing through public domain archives, ensuring its enduring presence in the history of printmaking.