Le Corbeau volant, les ailes déployées (The Flying Raven) (ex libris) from Le Corbeau (The Raven)

Le Corbeau volant, les ailes déployées (The Flying Raven) (ex libris) from Le Corbeau (The Raven) is a highly expressive lithograph created by Édouard Manet in 1875. This print served as the ex libris, or bookplate, for the celebrated illustrated edition of Edgar Allan Poe’s poem, translated into French by the Symbolist poet Stéphane Mallarmé. The collaboration between these major 19th-century figures resulted in a pivotal example of the illustrated book genre, which represents a crucial area of Manet’s graphic output.

The work powerfully captures the melancholic and dramatic essence of Poe’s narrative. Manet utilizes the inherent characteristics of the lithographic medium to depict the raven in mid-flight, its expansive wings fully unfurled against a contrasting background. The bold, stark contrasts achieved through the black ink and paper highlight the movement of the creature, a focus typical of French graphic arts during this period. This detailed print demonstrates Manet’s versatility in illustration, extending his artistic repertoire beyond the oil paintings for which he is most famous, and allowing him to engage more directly with the burgeoning market for fine art prints.

Published in 1875, the illustrated book Le Corbeau originally contained six separate lithographs by Manet. This specific component, functioning as a personalized marker of book ownership, demonstrates the artist's interest in blending fine art with practical design elements. The quality of the drawing and the intensity of the composition solidify this piece as a significant example of 19th-century graphic production. The original is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art, ensuring its preservation for study. As with many important French works from this era, high-resolution digital versions of Manet's prints are increasingly available through public domain initiatives, making the historical artwork accessible globally.