That Shadow That Lies Floating on the Floor (The Chair)

1875

Scroll

Édouard Manet and J. Lefman

That Shadow That Lies Floating on the Floor (The Chair)

Artist: Édouard Manet
Printer: J. Lefman

That Shadow That Lies Floating on the Floor (The Chair)

1875

Physical Qualities Brush and ink transfer lithograph, Sheet: 461 x 340 mm. (18 1/8 x 13 3/8 in.)

Credit Line The George A. Lucas Collection, purchased with funds from the State of Maryland, Laurence and Stella Bendann Fund, and contributions from individuals, foundations, and corporations throughout the Baltimore community

Object Number 1996.48.18051

With incredible economy of means, Manet illustrates the poem’s final stanza without directly depicting either the Raven or the narrator. He hints at their presence with an empty chair and a moving shadow, suggesting that the bird is simultaneously perched atop Pallas, flying across the floor, and hovering above the chair. The Raven’s mysterious shadow becomes a powerful symbol of the narrator’s trapped spirit.

The Baltimore Museum of Art by purchase, 1996; The Maryland Institute College of Art,
through Henry Walters, Baltimore, by bequest 1909; from George A. Lucas, Paris

Peter Wick, Fogg Art Museum of Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, "The Arts of the French Book 1900 - 1965," Dec. 1966 - Jan. 1967; circulated to Lillian Bradshaw, Dallas Public Library, Dallas, TX, Mar. 28 - May 6, 1967; circulated to Yale University Library, New Haven, CT, c. June 1967.

The Maryland Institute, Baltimore, Nov. 3 - 24, 1968.

BMA, "The Prints of Edouard Manet: A Centenary Celebration," 27 September - 20 November, 1983.

Doreen Bolger, BMA, "Haunting Visions of Poe; Illustrations by Manet, Matisse & Gauguin," Sept. 17, 2003-Jan. 11, 2004.

Doreen Bolger, BMA, "Edgar Allan Poe: A Baltimore Icon," 4 October 2009 - 17 January 2010.

Inscribed: lower left in stone: "E.M."

Markings: Collector's stamp: verso "M.I. / LUCAS / COLLECTION" (Lugt 1695c)