Clemenceau at the Tribune
by MANET, Edouard, Oil on canvas, 116 x 94 cm
Georges Benjamin Clemenceau (1841-1929) was a French journalist, physician and statesman. He was French prime minister twice, in 1906-09 and from November 1917-20. He was the senior French representative at the Versailles settlement after World War One.
The politician had little time to pose; but sketching in face, torso and crossed arms with lapidary indications and a ‘japoniste’ outline, Manet contrived to give physical expression to the hectoring energy and taunting humour of the ‘Tiger’ - the man credited by France with winning the First World War.