Sous la lampe (Under the Lamp) (plate 1) from Le Corbeau (The Raven)

Sous la lampe (Under the Lamp) (plate 1) from Le Corbeau (The Raven) is a powerful lithograph created by Édouard Manet in 1875. This print serves as the first plate from a pivotal illustrated book comprising six lithographs, including an ex libris, produced for Stéphane Mallarmé’s celebrated French translation of Edgar Allan Poe’s iconic poem, The Raven. This project solidified Manet’s integral role within the avant-garde Parisian literary and artistic circles of the time, bridging the worlds of modern painting and Symbolist literature.

The choice of the lithographic medium allowed Manet to utilize deep blacks and nuanced grays, perfectly capturing the shadowy, dramatic atmosphere central to Poe's Gothic narrative. This piece demonstrates Manet’s technical versatility as a graphic artist; while primarily known as a key figure in modern painting, Manet frequently utilized the medium of prints to disseminate his imagery and engage directly with contemporary literary themes. The visual darkness suggested by the title, Sous la lampe, implies a moment of intense introspection or high dramatic tension, characteristic of the poem's themes of loss, despair, and melancholia.

The overall style reflects the dramatic contrasts often found in early French Impressionist graphics, although the subject matter clearly aligns with the emerging Symbolist aesthetic championed by Mallarmé. Produced during a significant period of cross-pollination between the visual arts and literature, the set of illustrations for Le Corbeau remains one of Manet’s most significant contributions to modern book design. The skill displayed in this particular lithograph reinforces why Manet is recognized today not just as a painter but as a master printmaker.

This important illustrated book, dating from 1875, is housed within the extensive collection of the Museum of Modern Art, reflecting the institution’s commitment to preserving key works that bridged 19th-century traditions with early modern art practices. As a foundational work of French graphic art, versions of this influential illustration are frequently found in the public domain for study and appreciation.