The exhibition “Manet / Degas”, held at the Musée d’Orsay in Paris from March 28 to July 23, 2023, is one of the major art events of the year dedicated to 19th-century painting. It brings together two central figures of French modern art: Édouard Manet (1832–1883) and Edgar Degas (1834–1917).

The exhibition explores the complex relationship between the two artists, marked by admiration, rivalry, and mutual influence. Through an exceptional selection of paintings, drawings, and pastels from major international collections, it highlights their crucial role in the emergence of modern painting.

While both artists belong to the same generation, they develop distinct approaches to modernity: Manet revolutionizes the depiction of contemporary life, while Degas focuses on movement, composition, and the human body with a highly innovative analytical approach.