The Barricade

The Barricade by Édouard Manet (French, 1832-1883) is a powerful and historically significant lithograph created in 1871 and expertly printed by Lemercier et Compagnie. Executed in black ink, the print utilized subtle scraping techniques characteristic of the medium to achieve striking contrasts and textural variations. The impression is produced via the complex process of chine collé, where the thin, delicate ivory-toned paper bearing the image is meticulously laid down upon a sturdier ivory wove paper support. This choice of medium allowed Manet to respond swiftly to the political tumult gripping France.

The artwork serves as Manet’s somber visual commentary on the immediate aftermath of the Paris Commune of 1871, the civil war that erupted following the Franco-Prussian War. While details are starkly rendered, Manet intentionally keeps the composition ambiguous, focusing on the violence itself rather than specific individuals. The scene depicts the brutality of urban conflict, often interpreted as a depiction of government forces executing or confronting Communard rebels in the streets. Manet’s interest lay in chronicling the anonymous, tragic realities of modern life, shifting away from traditional heroic history painting.

This lithograph is considered a cornerstone of Manet’s graphic output, reflecting his ability to blend Realism with a deeply expressive technique. The immediacy conveyed in The Barricade underscores the volatile political climate of 19th-century France. As a pivotal example of politically charged modern prints, the work is proudly held in the permanent collection of the Art Institute of Chicago. Reproductions of this critical historical document are often made available through museum public domain initiatives.