The Old Musician

The Old Musician
Artist Édouard Manet
Year 1862
Medium Oil on canvas
Location National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.
Dimensions 73.8 in × 97.8 in
187.4 cm × 248.3 cm
Famous Paintings by Manet
Le déjeuner sur l’herbe
Olympia
Nana
A Bar at the Folies-Bergère
The Balcony
The Fifer
The Railway
The Spanish Singer
The Old Musician
Complete Works

The Old Musician is an oil on canvas work painted by Edouard Manet in 1862. The painting measures 73.8 by 97.8 inches. The work is now in the National Gallery of Art in Washington.

Style and Composition

Manet developed a keen interest in Spanish art, and the style of this painting shows the influence of Spanish artists like Velazquez.

The painting is set in a rural location. The musician of the title is seated on a case. His violin is resting in his lap, held in place by his left hand. He holds his bow in his right hand. He is looking directly towards the viewer.

On the left of the group, a young, barefoot girl, wearing a blue dress and black shawl, is cradling a baby. Beside her are two young boys. Two adult males are depicted on the right of the painting. One of the men is well dressed and wearing a top hat. The other man is only partially visible.