Posing Modernity: The Black Model from Manet and Matisse to Today Study Notes

Denise Murrell
Yale University Press & The Miriam and Ira D. Wallach Art Gallery

This publication is supported by the Ford Foundation.
Established through the endowment of Miriam and Ira D. Wallach.
Published for the exhibition "Posing Modernity: The Black Model from Manet and Matisse to Today" at the following locations:
- Miriam and Ira D. Wallach Art Gallery, Columbia University in New York, from October 24, 2018, to February 10, 2019.
- Musée d'Orsay, Paris, as the expanded exhibition "Le Modèle noir de Gericault à Matisse" from March 26 to July 14, 2019.

Copyright 2018 by The Trustees of Columbia University in New York. All rights reserved.
ISBN: 978-0-300-22906-6.

Foreword by Laurence des Cars translated by Miranda Richmond Mouillot.
Introduction by Anne Higonnet: The Gift of Olympia.
Prologue: Manet's Laure and the Histories of Art.
Chapter 1: Olympia in Context: Manet, the Impressionists, and Black Paris.
Chapter 2: Affinities and Interface: Modern Portraits of Black Women in the Art of Matisse and the Harlem Renaissance.
Chapter 3: A Reimagined Legacy: The Black Female Figure from Bearden to Now.
Profiles of Three Models.
Map: Northern Paris ca. 1850-1950.
Notes.
Index.
Illustration Credits.

The 1860s Paris: Édouard Manet (1832-1883) transformed art, reflecting emerging modernity in the social, political, and economic life.
Manet's painting "Olympia" (1863) became foundational for depicting changing realities of modern life in a burgeoning Paris.
Post-1848: Following the abolition of slavery in France, a distinctive presence of free blacks developed in Paris, with a notable population emerging in northern neighborhoods.
Focus of Posing Modernity: Address the representation of the black maid in "Olympia", specifically Manet's portrayal of Laure, the model, exploring her significance across art history.

Despite Manet's notable attention to Laure, her presence is often neglected in art historical discourse which focuses primarily on the figure of the prostitute in "Olympia".
Critical Perspectives:
- T. J. Clark’s essay "Olympia's Choice" emphasizes the prototypical representation of modernity in the courtesan over the maid, suggesting the maid's role was perceived as natural and thus insignificant.
- Clark acknowledges the criticism for overlooking the black woman accompanying the courtesan, revealing ideological blindness in art history concerning racial representation.
Historical Omissions: Benjamin's theory on the institutional omission of dissonant narratives in constructing history explains the prevailing disregard for figures like Laure.
Posing Modernity aims to scrutinize and recover these overlooked historical fragments and narratives regarding the black female figure in modern art.

Reflect a commitment to reformulating art history by analyzing Manet's work alongside contemporary interpretations and artistic legacy.
Investigates the immediate context of Manet's depictions, as well as the subsequent responses by other artists that challenge traditional norms and conventions.
Examines a lineage of representations from Manet’s time, to Matisse, Bearden, and contemporary global artists, focusing on the evolving role and significance of the black female figure in art.

Manet’s Notebooks: Notes from late 1862 describe model Laure as "très belle négresse", noting her influence in three key portraits created within a short timeframe.
Contrast in Portrayal: The early portrayal of Laure differs markedly from her representation in "Olympia". The former presents her as an individual subject; the latter puts her in a complex, ambiguous role involving themes of race and gender.

Modernity Underscored: Laure's dual roles embody modernity within artistic expression—capturing contemporary social dynamics, and challenging traditional racial archetypes.
The timing of Laure's presence in Manet's works coincides with the broader shifts in Parisian demographics post-abolition which impacted the artist's subject matter.

Demographic Context: The demographic change post-1848 created a more visible black population in northern Paris, significantly enriching the cultural landscape. Manet’s body of work highlights this increasingly multi-racial milieu.
Artistic Networks: Manet partook in a diverse artistic community influenced by writers, fellow artists, and performers across various cultures, evidenced by social interactions in places like cafés and galleries.

The importance of portrait photographers like Nadar in illustrating black Parisians contributes to a rich understanding of the cultural intertwining of races during this time.
While fine art often perpetuated stereotypes, photography captured a wider array of social nuances among black residents than typically portrayed in salon paintings.

Not only creative figures but prominent individuals from other professions contribute to the tapestry of Parisian life, including families of notable descent and mixed heritage such as Alexander Dumas père.

Posing Modernity is proposed as a necessary historical intervention to recover the legacy and representation of both Manet's Laure and the broader significance of black female figures in art history.
Artist engagements with these subjects highlight the iteration and evolution of aesthetic standards that define modern art.
The narrative continues to impact the understanding of how race and gender intersect with modern artistic expression, particularly in shaping the discourse surrounding art from the 19th century to the modern era, fostering a reconsideration of these representations today.