A Bar At The Folies-Bergère

Édouard Manet’s A Bar at the Folies-Bergère (1882) is one of his most famous and complex works, painted just a year before his death. Set in the bustling Parisian cabaret Folies-Bergère, the painting depicts a barmaid standing before a counter laden with bottles, fruit, and flowers, while behind her, a large mirror reflects the lively crowd and a male customer. The work is celebrated for its bold composition, striking use of reflection, and subtle social commentary—the barmaid’s detached expression contrasts with the bustling pleasure-seeking environment, hinting at themes of isolation and the commodification of women in modern urban society. Blending realism with modernist innovation, the painting exemplifies Manet’s mastery in capturing both the vibrancy and alienation of contemporary Parisian life.