Charles Ephrussi, one of the principal models for Swann, bought this painting from Manet and prized it for life. Manet was asking eight hundred francs for the painting but Ephrussi offered one thousand francs. Manet thanked him by painting another canvas of a single asparagus. Just as Cezanne did with apples, Manet raised the asparagus to the noblest level of painting. |
||
|