A Box at the Theatre des Italiens

Eva Gonzales submitted this to the Paris Salon in 1874, the same spring a breakaway group across town was holding the show that would give Impressionism its name. The jury rejected her theatre-box scene, objecting to what one called its masculine vigour, the bold contrasts of a pale woman and white gloves set against deep shadow. She had learned that handling of light and dark from Manet, the only formal pupil he ever took. Five years later the Salon relented and hung the picture, to praise from Emile Zola and others. Gonzales had little time to enjoy the turn. She died in 1883 at 34, only a few days after giving birth.