In this painting, Manet recreates the brilliant entertainments at the Folies-Bergère—a spectacular café-concert hall that included an outdoor area as well as the indoor area we see in this painting. Along the bar are a brilliant array of drinks, fruit, and bottles of spirits, including champagne, Bass pale ale, and crème de menthe, which in itself constitutes a tour de force of still life painting. These objects, together with the shimmering reflections in the mirror of elegant men and well-known demimondaines contrast with the detached and remote expression on the face of the bar girl, Suzon. It has been speculated that the bottles and fruit may be a metaphor for sexual exchange. They are certainly commodities—is the girl a commodity? Perhaps Manet is simply posing the question to force the viewer to look closely at the painting and to consider its implications.
SantaFe.com
Bar at the Folieso-Bergere
Upcoming Events
May 17
- Sustainable Organic Gardening and GreenzBox Workshop
- 9:30am - 2:00pm • El Morro Area Arts Council
Growing a Sustainable Organic Garden. How to Build and Plant a GreenzGox Garden.
- Native American Elders Storytellers Event
- 10:00am - 3:00pm • Institute of American Indian Arts Museum
Native American Elders Storytellers and Youth Arts Activities
- IAIA Museum to Host Native American Storytelling Festival
- 10:00am - 3:00pm
IAIA Museum will be bustling with storytelling performances and art activities for children and families on Saturday, May 17 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
During the Stories from Our Elders: Native American Storytelling Festival, visitors will learn about indigenous culture and history through the vibrant culture-based model of storytelling.
Festival performers represent tribes located in diverse areas throughout North America. Museum Director, Joseph Sanchez emphasizes, "It is not often that local residents have the opportunity to hear a number of first-rate Native storytellers from such a...
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May 18
- Eldorado Studio Tour
- 10:00am - 5:00pm • Eldorado Arts and Crafts Assoc.
Eldorado Studio Tour 2008. 105 outstanding artists in 69 studios. Fine arts & crafts.
- Human Rights Torch Relay
- 10:00am - 7:00pm • CIPFG
Human Rights Torch Relay - Light the Torch for Human Rights in China
- GreenBuilt Tour
- 10:00am - 4:00pm • U.S. Green Building Council New Mexico Chapter
The GreenBuilt Tour provides inspiration, ideas and education on sustainable building
- View all 12 events...
