New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art unveiled a fascinating new exhibition, titled “Manet/Degas,” from September 24, 2023, to January 7, 2024, at The Tisch Galleries. The exhibit was a visual and intellectual delight.

Artistic Giants Side by Side

“Manet/Degas” was not just a mere display of 160 exquisite paintings and works on paper, but an in-depth exploration into the lives, friendship, and rivalry of two monumental figures in 19th-century French art: Édouard Manet and Edgar Degas. Born two years apart, their paths often crossed, influencing each other and the very fabric of modernist painting in France.

The artistry of Manet and Degas was brought to life, revealing not just their individual genius, but the ways their careers intersected, showing moments of collaboration, inspiration, and disagreement. This collection offered a fresh perspective on their relationship, interwoven with the sociopolitical climate of their time, their personal relationships, and the intellectual circles they moved in.

Notable Highlights and Insights

For the art enthusiast, the presence of Manet’s groundbreaking “Olympia” in the U.S for the first time, and Degas’s recently conserved “Family Portrait (The Bellelli Family),” were alone worth the visit. But beyond these masterpieces, the exhibition delved deeper, presenting drawings, etchings, and other artworks that encapsulated the delicate balance of admiration and competition between the two artists.

Curators Stephan Wolohojian and Ashley Dunn shed light on the nuances of the artists’ relationship. While their written correspondence is limited, their artworks, when viewed side by side, speak volumes about their artistic dialogue, making this exhibit a unique opportunity to witness their silent conversations.

A Structured Exploration

The exhibition was organized into thirteen sections, offering a journey that began with their early years, their initial meeting at the Louvre, and their individual approaches to the annual Salon. It delved deep into their shared subjects, from portraiture to wartime representations, from their engagements with Impressionism to their interpretations of modern Paris.

Collaborations and Credits

This visual journey was made possible by collaborative efforts between The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, and the Musées d’Orsay et de l’Orangerie, Paris, and generously supported by Alice Cary Brown, W.L. Lyons Brown, the Sherman Fairchild Foundation, and more.

An expansive illustrated catalogue, along with an insightful audio tour, further enriched the visitor experience. Bloomberg Philanthropies backed this immersive audio guide, which chronicled the intricate relationship between Manet and Degas through expert commentary and firsthand accounts.

Engaging Programs and More

In addition to the exhibit, The Met lined up a series of events and workshops, from a Teen Studio workshop to a “Sunday at The Met” talk.