It would appear that the model for this painting was Alexandre, a fifteen year old who came from a poor family. He ran errands, cleaned the palette, and washed brushes for Manet. The smile on the child's face gives no hint of the tradgey that would later happen. One day the child overcome with despair hung himself in Manet's studio. Upon returning to the studio Manet discovered the body. The event inspired Baudelaire to put himself in Manet's place and write a poem entitled 'The Rope'.
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