Boy blowing bubbles
Édouard Manet · 1867
Why it's great
A boy leans on a table, watching a bubble he's made, with a skull nearby that reminds us that life is short. Manet painted it as a 'vanitas,' a type of picture about how things are fragile. The boy is Léon Leenhoff, his stepson. It's a thoughtful picture about time.
Where to see it
📍 Calouste Gulbenkian MuseumLisbon, Portugal
Open in Maps ↗ About this museum →Hang it on your wall
Three places to look for a print of this painting, from budget to museum-grade:
These links open search results on each shop's own website; we don't sell anything or earn a commission, and print quality varies by seller. Ask a grown-up before you buy anything.
About the artist
Édouard Manet1832–1883 · born in former 10th arrondissement of Paris · died in 8th arrondissement of Paris
Édouard Manet was born into a wealthy Parisian family and lived in Paris all his life. He painted modern city life — cafés, bars, and picnics — in a bold, flat style that scandalized critics. He never officially joined the Impressionists, but he inspired them, and they admired him as a leader. He died in 1883 at age 51.
