The oil painting which is shown in the photograph is a famous work by which artist?

Édouard Manet (1832 – 1883) was a French modernist painter. He was one of the first 19th century artists to paint modern life, and was a pivotal figure in the transition from realism to impressionism.

The oil on canvas painting "A Bar at the Folies-Bergère" was presented by Manet at the 1882 Paris Salon exhibition and it is considered to be his last major work. The painting is now in the Courtauld Gallery in London.

The painting is the culmination of his interest in scenes of urban leisure and spectacle, a subject that he had developed in dialogue with impressionism over the previous decade. The Folies-Bergère was one of the most elaborate variety show venues in Paris, showcasing entertainment ranging from ballets to circus acts. Another attraction was the barmaids, who were assumed by many contemporary observers to be available as clandestine prostitutes. By depicting one of these women and her male customer on an imposing scale, Manet introduced the subject of morality.

In addition to the social tensions evoked by the painting's subject, Manet's composition presents a visual puzzle. The barmaid looks directly at the viewer, while the mirror behind her reflects the large hall and patrons of the Folies-Bergère. Manet seems to have painted the image from a viewpoint directly opposite the barmaid. Yet this viewpoint is contradicted by the reflection of the objects on the bar and the figures of the barmaid and a patron off to the right.