Chez Le pere Lathuille

Edouard Manet’s painting, Chez le Pere Lathuille, illustrates the artist’s classic impressionist style accentuating the French culture at the time.

The piece was painted in 1879, at the Pere Lathuille restaurant, in France. The woman within the painting was muse Mile French, who had taken over from Manet’s original model.

The young man within the painting was the son of the restaurant’s owner, M. Gauthier-Lathuille.

The young man had met Edouard Manet at the restaurant dressed in his waiter attire. Manet found the man incredibly charming and beautifully dressed.

The young man was paired with Mile French for the painting and had posed for two sittings. Upon the third, frustration had hit Manet and has switched the young man’s jacket within the photo to his own silk piece.

The painting, Chez le Pere Lathuille, manifests a welcoming emotion within the piece. As the piece was painted at the young man’s father’s restaurant, the setting is prompted as luxurious. With lush greenery in the background, and beautiful architecture around, the piece illustrates a wealthy time period for the French.

There is a critical emotion between the two models within the piece. Edouard Manet was a gifted painter, able to showcase the emotion of love and lust engulfed within the eyes of the young man as he looks at the woman. His body language is flirting with the women, as his arm is wrapped behind her chair.

The man seems to be immensely engulfed within the women, studying her every detail. On the other hand, the women prominently sits straight looking down upon the man. The model, Mile French, is dressed in a classic luxurious dress, illuminating the fashion of the French era. She is accessorized with a hat, a white fluffy scarf, and lace gloves. French illuminates the emotion of sophistication and power, whereas the young man is engulfed in her.

The setting plays a pivotal role within the piece, enhancing the emotion of the painting. The table is located outside and is clothed in rich white linens and cocktails on the table.

The luxurious setting is paired with lush greenery in the background adding to the piece. The interesting component of the painting is the man located within the background. The older man seems to be starring at the couple, whether actually posing under Manet’s control, or perhaps a normal Parisian who had came across the scene.

The story behind the man in the background remains unknown, however is critical in adding to the painting. The viewer is easily able to spot the individual, adding more curiosity to the piece.