- The first of the moderns: Paving the way from Realism to Impressionism Violently criticized during his lifetime for his supposedly provocative paintings, French painterEdouard Manet(1832 1883) is now considered a master of inestimable importance in the history of painting. His 1863 paintingDejeuner sur l herbedepicting two clothed men picnicing with a nude woman now considered one of the most memorable images of the 19th century stirred up controversy for what many considered its vulgar audacity. It was famously rejected by the Paris Salon and exhibited in the Salon des Refuses. Manet s bold style helped pave the way from Realism to Impressionism, and in doing so ushered in the age of modern art.