SIX FEET UNDER: The Death of the Artist

The death of the artist is actually one of the romantic themes of the 19th century: Eduard Manet’s small painting Selbstmord im Atelier (1887) is probably the result of experienced reality. The picture was Manet’s contribution to an auction for the benefit of the late composer Jean de Cabanes. Emile Zola wrote in the auction catalogue:
“The truth is that he dies because of his art.”