Hat and Guitar, frontispiece for the edition of fourteen etchings

Hat and Guitar, frontispiece for the edition of fourteen etchings was created by Édouard Manet (French, 1832-1883) and published by Alfred Cadart in 1874. This highly complex print, classified as a frontispiece for a curated portfolio of graphic works, showcases Manet’s versatility and technical exploration in media beyond painting. The artist utilized a combination of etching, aquatint, drypoint, and engraving techniques, rendered in black ink upon blue wove paper. This intricate layering of graphic methods allowed Manet to achieve a wide range of textural effects and subtle tonal variations unusual for traditional 19th-century French printmaking.

As the introductory image for a collected edition of fourteen separate prints, the work sets an intimate yet dramatic tone. The subject matter features two essential elements: a hat and a guitar, objects often associated with informal performance, Bohemian life, and the Spanish influences that frequently appeared in Manet's broader artistic production. Manet, a pivotal figure bridging the Realist and nascent Impressionist movements, dedicated significant attention to developing his graphic oeuvre throughout the 1860s and 1870s, seeing the production of high-quality prints as crucial for the widespread dissemination of his images. This specific edition, overseen by the notable publisher Cadart, represents a critical phase in the history of graphic art in France.

This piece demonstrates Manet’s skillful manipulation of line and texture, transforming simple, everyday objects into powerful artistic statements. The work is held within the distinguished collection of the Art Institute of Chicago, where it serves as an important record of Manet’s profound and lasting contributions to the art of the print. While originally produced in a limited edition run, the historical importance of such fine prints ensures their continued accessibility for study in the public domain.