Musée d'Orsay Spotlights Manet's 'L'Asperge' and Its Witty Backstory
The Musée d'Orsay has published an in-depth feature on Édouard Manet's 1880 painting 'L'Asperge' (The Asparagus), a small still life measuring 16.9 x 21.9 cm. The work was donated by Sam Salz in 1959. According to the museum, Manet originally sold a larger bunch-of-asparagus canvas to collector Charles Ephrussi for 800 francs, but Ephrussi overpaid by sending 1,000 francs. In reply, Manet painted this single asparagus and sent it with a note: 'There was one missing from your bunch.' The piece is noted for its subtle interplay of mauves and greys against a black background, echoing Dutch 17th-century still lifes.
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For collectors and curators, the feature underscores the enduring market and scholarly appeal of Manet's small-format still lifes from the 1880s—works that the artist often gave as personal gifts. Such intimate pieces continue to command strong prices at auction, reflecting the intersection of art-historical provenance and narrative charm. The Musée d'Orsay's focused treatment signals a strategic emphasis on highlighting key gifts and lesser-known masterpieces within its collection, reinforcing the institution's role as a steward of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist narratives.
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- Artists: Edouard Manet
- People: Charles Ephrussi, Sam Salz, Georges Bataille
- Museums: Musée d'Orsay
- Locations: Paris
- Prices: 800 francs, 1,000 francs
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