Portrait of Félix Bracquémond

The Portrait of Félix Bracquémond is a pivotal 1865 work by Édouard Manet French, 1832-1883. This distinctive piece, classified as a print, was created using the technically challenging method of lift-ground etching, enhanced by the deliberate inclusion of plate tone in black on cream laid paper. This specific medium choice, favoring rich tonal variation over precise linearity, demonstrates Manet’s desire to transfer the immediate, atmospheric qualities of painting into his graphic production.

The subject, Félix Bracquémond (1833-1914), was a renowned French printmaker and graphic artist in his own right, known for his masterful revival of etching techniques. This portrait serves as a visual document of the close professional and personal connections within the Parisian artistic community during the mid-19th century in France. By depicting a fellow innovator in the graphic arts, Manet signaled his serious engagement with etching as a valid, expressive artistic form.

Manet (1832-1883) utilizes the plate tone-a thin veil of ink left on the non-etched surface of the plate-to give the composition depth and an almost shadowy atmosphere, contrasting sharply with the bright highlights and the sitter's intense gaze. The economy of line characteristic of the artist is evident here, focusing attention squarely on Bracquémond’s psychological presence. Works like this are critical to understanding Manet's expansive career beyond his famous oil canvases. Due to the age and historical significance of this impression, this high-quality artwork often resides within the public domain for research and study. This important example of the Portrait of Félix Bracquémond is part of the extensive collection of prints held by the Art Institute of Chicago.