Édouard Manet (1832-1883)

La guerre civile

France, 1871

Lithograph

Plate: 39.5 x 50.9 cm; mount: 68.3 x 77.1 cm

The lithograph protests against the massacre of Parisian Communards in 1871 by French government forces.

This marked the end of the tumultuous Franco-German War and the Seige of Paris. The central dead Communard is dressed in National Guard uniform. The cloth in his hand suggests he waved a white flag of surrender before being shot. A civilian’s legs, in striped trousers, adds to the poignancy of the scene. This print was published in 1874 by Lemercier & Cie; Manet’s other civil war prints were considered unsuitable and only published posthumously.

Purchased 1946 (No. 46.13)

WORKS ON PAPER

We show a rotating selection of works on paper in our two dedicated exhibition spaces. If you wish to view a work not currently on display, you can make an appointment to see it in the Prints and Drawings Study Room, which is equipped with lecterns and a study/seminar table.

The study room is open to students, scholars, and members of the general public, individually or in small groups, by prior appointment only. The room has tables and chairs to facilitate private study or seminars