Manet reunitedTwo paintings by Manet which were originally on one canvas and then cut by the artist have been reunited this week for the first time since 1878. London's National Gallery is lending its Corner of a café-concert to the Oskar Reinhart Collection "Am Römerholz",in Winterthur, Switzerland which owns Au café (until 29 Janury 2006).
Research for the exhibition at the Oskar Reinhart Collection unearthed the only known description of the original composition in the London journal The Architect from 1877. The existence of the café-concert, the Reichshoffen, has also been confirmed from a reference in a contemporary publication: it was located just off boulevard Rochechouart, in Montmartre.
X-radiographs and scientific examination, together with preparatory drawings, made it possible to determine the changes which Manet, dissatisfied with his first composition, made after dividing the original canvas in 1878. The top and bottom of both canvases were cut slightly. The left half, which ended up in Winterthur was left relatively unchanged. The right section, which later went to London, had a strip added at the right, on which the beer mugs were added. A dancer on stage and musicians were also included in the upper left corner of the London picture.
The Oskar Reinhart Collection is unable to lend, because of the terms of the donation. However, focussed exhibitions around key works could encourage its trustees to change the conditions and allow loans to be made. If this happens, the Au café may come to London for a similar show at the National Gallery.
October 1,2005
