What was a common criticism of Manet's work?
Many critics found my work to be unfinished or crude. They were accustomed to the polished surfaces and idealized forms of academic painting. My bold brushstrokes, flattened perspective, and refusal to 'hide' the paint were seen as lacking skill or respect for tradition. The directness with which I presented subjects, particularly women, was also a source of scandal and disapproval, as it did not conform to their expectations of decorum.
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