A Bar at the Folies-Bergere, c.1881/82 Edouard Manet (1832-1883)

We create our paintings with museum quality and covering the highest academic standards. Once we get your order, it will be entirely hand-painted with oil on canvas. All the materials we use are the highest level, being totally artist graded painting materials and linen canvas.

We will add 1.6" (4 cm) additional blank canvas all over the painting for stretching.

High quality and detailing in every inch are time consuming. The reproduction of Edouard Manet also needs time to dry in order to be completely ready for shipping, as this is crucial to not be damaged during transportation.
Based on the size, level of detail and complexity we need 8-9 weeks to complete the process.

In case the delivery date needs to be extended in time, or we are overloaded with requests, there will be an email sent to you sharing the new timelines of production and delivery.

TOPofART wants to remind you to keep patient, in order to get you the highest quality, being our mission to fulfill your expectations.

We not stretch and frame our oil paintings due to several reasons:
Painting reproduction is a high quality expensive product, which we cannot risk to damage by sending it being stretched.
Also, there are postal restrictions, regarding the size of the shipment.
Additionally, due to the dimensions of the stretched canvas, the shipment price may exceed the price of the product itself.

You can stretch and frame your painting in your local frame-shop.

Once the painting A Bar at the Folies-Bergere is ready and dry, it will be shipped to your delivery address. The canvas will be rolled-up in a secure postal tube.

We offer free shipping as well as paid express transportation services.

After adding your artwork to the shopping cart, you will be able to check the delivery price using the Estimate Shipping and Tax tool.

The paintings we create are only of museum quality. Our academy graduated artists will never allow a compromise in the quality and detail of the ordered painting. TOPofART do not work, and will never allow ourselves to work with low quality studios from the Far East. We are based in Europe, and quality is our highest priority.

"A Bar at the Folies-Bergère" by Edouard Manet holds an intriguing history that adds depth to its significance in the art world. Created in 1882, this iconic masterpiece portrays a scene set in the popular Folies-Bergère, a renowned entertainment venue in Paris.

Upon its debut at the Salon of 1882, the painting garnered both admiration and controversy. It was met with critical acclaim by some for its technical prowess and innovative composition, while others expressed disdain and bewilderment. The composition itself raises questions and challenges the viewer's perception of reality.

The central figure in the painting is a barmaid, standing behind the counter of the bustling bar. She gazes directly at the viewer, her expression enigmatic and thought-provoking. Behind her, an array of bottles and glasses populate the bar, meticulously painted with Manet's keen attention to detail.

One of the most striking features of the painting is the mirror situated behind the barmaid. The mirror reflects a different perspective of the scene, presenting an intriguing visual puzzle. The reflection depicts the back of the barmaid, seemingly engaged in conversation with a male customer. However, the spatial relationship between the barmaid and the reflected figures creates a sense of ambiguity and distortion.

The Folies-Bergère was known for its lively and often chaotic atmosphere, featuring various forms of entertainment, including acrobatic performances, live music, and dancing. In the reflection, one can discern a glimpse of a lively crowd and a balcony where spectators gather to watch the spectacle. This contrast between the energetic reflection and the barmaid's subdued demeanor adds to the painting's narrative complexity.

Additionally, the painting captures the changing social dynamics of the time. The barmaid, a symbol of the working class, stands amidst the opulence and consumerism of the burgeoning urban society. The juxtaposition of the barmaid and the elegant clientele raises questions about class, gender, and the blurred boundaries between reality and illusion.

Over time, "A Bar at the Folies-Bergère" has become recognized as one of Manet's most influential and celebrated works. Its innovative composition, use of perspective, and thought-provoking themes have left a lasting impact on the development of modern art. Today, the painting is housed in the Courtauld Gallery in London, where it continues to captivate audiences and provoke discussions on the complexities of modern life and representation.