Punch

Punch is a sophisticated color lithograph created by the French master Édouard Manet (1832-1883) in 1874. This work exemplifies the artist's deep commitment to the graphic arts, applying the sensibilities of the burgeoning Impressionist movement to printmaking. The creation of this piece was technically complex, utilizing lithography printed in color from seven distinct stones, layering beige, orange, green, yellow, light blue, white, and black inks to achieve a rich, painterly effect.

The medium allowed Manet to capture the shifting light and atmosphere of contemporary Parisian life, a central theme across his artistic output. To further enhance the textural quality of the print, the artist employed the demanding technique of scraping directly on the stones, enabling him to introduce subtle variations in tone and highlight. This exacting process distinguished Punch as an innovative foray into chromolithography during a time when many of Manet’s contemporaries restricted their prints to monochrome etching.

Produced in France, the vibrant detail and technical mastery demonstrated in this work reveal Manet’s enduring effort to elevate prints beyond mere reproduction, establishing them as works of art equal to oil painting. His use of layered color successfully evokes the visual spontaneity associated with his finished canvases. This significant example of Manet’s graphic experimentation remains a key piece in the extensive collection of the Art Institute of Chicago.