The Little Girl

The Little Girl is an intimate and technically accomplished print created by the innovative French artist Édouard Manet (1832-1883) between 1861 and 1862. This early work provides significant insight into Manet's intensive engagement with intaglio printmaking during a critical phase of his career. The medium is specifically identified as etching and drypoint, executed on high-quality ivory laid paper. The technical details of this impression are noteworthy, featuring a distinct plate tone in brown, suggesting a careful manipulation of ink by the artist or printer to achieve a warm, atmospheric quality and enhance the depth of the shadow areas.

Created during a time of intense artistic experimentation in France, Manet employed this reproducible format to translate his modern sensibilities into graphic art. Unlike the formal portraits typical of the era, the subject, a solitary young girl, is presented with a sense of immediacy and informality. Manet utilized the sharp, delicate lines of etching in combination with the softer, burred edges produced by drypoint, especially visible in the texture of the girl's hair and dress. This contrast in line work demonstrates the artist's burgeoning mastery of the printed image, foreshadowing his later contributions to modern art.

As a print, this piece is a vital example of 19th-century French graphic arts. The work resides within the distinguished collection of the Art Institute of Chicago, where it serves as a key marker of Manet’s diverse technical output beyond his celebrated canvases. The study of Manet’s graphic works, often available today through public domain resources, illuminates his experimental approach to capturing the spontaneity of modern life.