Shop art print and framed art Lola de Valence, danseuse espagnole by Edouard Manet

Lola of Valencia: the Spanish dancer immortalized by Manet

Edouard Manet, a major figure of Impressionism, painted a captivating portrait of a Spanish dancer named Lola of Valencia in 1862. This work, preserved at the Musée d'Orsay in Paris and seen today as a counterpart to the Spanish Dancer painted two years earlier, testifies to Manet's fascination with Spain and its art, and marks a turning point in his career away from realism and towards a more modern aesthetic.

Lola of Valencia: a Spain dreamed of in 19th-century Paris

In the mid-19th century, Paris was gripped by a genuine passion for Spain. Romantic literature, with authors like Théophile Gautier and Prosper Mérimée, fueled this infatuation by depicting an exotic, passionate Spain. Troops of Spanish dancers then performed in Parisian theaters, helping to spread this flamboyant image.

It was in this context that Manet met Lola Melea, known as Lola of Valencia, a prima ballerina in Mariano Camprubí's troupe. Fascinated by her beauty and charisma, he decided to depict her in a portrait that would become one of his most famous works. The 123 cm by 92 cm painting was first exhibited in 1863 at the Galerie Martinet, arousing the admiration of some critics, but also the incomprehension and rejection of some of the public and the press.

Lola of Valencia: a striking and innovative portrait

Lola of Valencia stands out for its bold composition and striking contrasts. The dancer, dressed in a shimmering stage costume, occupies almost the entire canvas. Her intense, direct gaze captivates the viewer, while her haughty pose and confident expression convey her flamboyant personality.

Manet uses a bright, contrasting color palette, with touches of red, yellow and black accentuating the composition's dynamism. The quick, visible brushstrokes, characteristic of Manet's style, reinforce the impression of spontaneity and movement. The dark background highlights the dancer's silhouette and helps create a theatrical atmosphere.

Lola of Valencia: the embodiment of beauty and duende

Lola of Valencia is shown in her stage costume, adorned with lace, ribbons and flowers. Her red and black dress, typical of flamenco dancers, accentuates her sensuality and femininity, and the wearing of a white mantilla framing her face lends her a mysterious aura. Her hand, delicately resting on her hip, underscores her graceful posture and self-confidence.

Manet captures the very essence of the dancer, her energy, passion and "duende", that expressive force specific to flamenco art. Lola's gaze, at once proud and provocative, engages the viewer and invites her to enter the fascinating world of Spanish dance.

Symbolic of Spain and femininity with Lola of Valencia

Every element in the painting contributes to creating an atmosphere charged with symbolism. The fan, Lola's costume, with its bright colors, flowers on her dress and ornaments, evokes the passion and sensuality of Spain, while the white mantilla reinforces the dancer's enigmatic aura. The dancer's posture and the poise of her gaze all point to an erotic dimension for the period.

Lola of Valencia: a turning point in Manet's career

Lola of Valencia marks the notion of scandal in Manet's career for the first time. With this work, he evoked eroticism for the first time, and embarked on a more personal and innovative path. While the painting was hailed by critics such as Émile Zola, who saw it as a daring, modern work, it was also criticized for its style, which was deemed too free, and its subject matter, which was considered vulgar. This painting was then followed by others such as Luncheon on the Grass or Olympia, which also provoked an outraged reaction from many observers.

Despite the controversies, Lola of Valencia helped establish Manet's reputation as one of the most important painters of his time. It prefigured his later pictorial research, particularly in his portraits of women and scenes of modern life, and influenced many artists, including the Fauvist and Expressionist painters, who took up Manet's bright colors and bold contrasts in their own works. The painting also helped popularize the image of the Spanish dancer as a symbol of passion, freedom and exoticism.

This artwork is a painting from the classical period. It belongs to the impressionism style.

« Lola de Valence, danseuse espagnole » is kept at Musee d'Orsay, Paris, France.