Olympia, 1863 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 Olympia 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.

"Olympia" by Édouard Manet holds an intriguing history that adds to its significance in the art world. Created in 1863 and exhibited at the Salon of Paris in 1865, the painting immediately sparked controversy and provoked intense reactions from viewers and critics of the time.

The subject of the painting, a reclining nude woman, challenged the conventional standards of beauty and idealized representations of women in art. Manet's portrayal of a naked prostitute, depicted as confident and unapologetic, shattered societal norms and raised questions about power dynamics, sexuality, and the male gaze.

The composition of "Olympia" also drew attention. Manet drew inspiration from iconic works of art history, particularly Titian's "Venus of Urbino". However, he infused his own unique style, incorporating elements that intensified the provocative nature of the painting. The direct gaze of Olympia, devoid of a passive or submissive expression, challenged the viewer's role and disrupted the traditional relationship between the subject and the observer.

The reception of "Olympia" at the Salon was divisive. Critics vehemently criticized the work, considering it vulgar and immoral. Yet, the painting also garnered support from a younger generation of artists and intellectuals who admired Manet's bold departure from established artistic conventions. Through this controversy, "Olympia" became a catalyst for discussions about the nature of art, the role of the artist, and the boundaries of acceptable subject matter.

Over time, "Olympia" gained recognition as a groundbreaking piece in the development of modern art. Its confrontational subject matter and innovative approach to composition influenced subsequent artists, particularly those associated with the Impressionist movement. Manet's boldness and willingness to challenge societal norms paved the way for artistic experimentation and the exploration of new perspectives in the art world.

Today, "Olympia" is celebrated as a masterpiece that pushed the boundaries of artistic expression, challenging viewers to confront their own preconceptions and reconsider the traditional notions of beauty and sexuality in art.