I have been told that Edouard Manet is considered the first "modern" artist. Why do believe this is true?

Question

I am researching the artist during the 19th century and I could not find an answer to my question in books or on the internet.

Answer 1

Manet produced two works in particular which served to inspire many modern artists: Luncheon on the Grass and Olympia (both in 1863). Both were rejected by the traditional studios for their style and content, yet both were hailed as avant-garde by the rest of the community.

Perhaps what most makes them 'modern' is the rejection of strict adherence to exact societal standards. The woman in Olympia is too thin, too frank, and altough nudes weren't uncommon, she wears just enough clothing to look MORE nude (if that's possible). Likewise, in Luncheon, we have completely nude females mixing with completely dressed men in a manner that makes no sense in its context. Manet tends also to outline his characters in black paint to emphasize them (an unrealistic and 'modern' touch) and otherwise makes much more use of black than many former artists.

Answer 2

Edouard Manet was not the very first Modern artist. Claude Monet is said to be the "Father of Modern Art" since he was the first to officially launch the Impressionist movement in 1872. Edouard Manet started off as a Realist, and did convert to Impressionism later on. Claude Monet, however, came first.

Answer 3

Because new standards were needed at his time to judge his works. But this is true for many other artist at this time.

He was considered as a "father" figure for his art but also for his background and social status, very different by the way from the five main impressionists, with the exception of his sister in law (and perhaps something more) Berthe Morisot.

He had only an impressionist phase, was considered their leader but never exposed with them.

He painted fewer works (few hundreds) and died younger of most of them, so more of his paintings are famous. Monet, Renoir, Pissarro, Sisley painted more (thousands) and lived longer, almost diluting their art.

These are my "impressions", personals and surely debatable...