Experts Identify Potential New Manet Chalk Drawing
A rediscovered red chalk sketch found in Italy is believed to be an early study by the French artist Édouard Manet.
Updated on Oct. 20, 2026 in Painting
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A previously unknown red chalk drawing of a crouching child has been identified in a private collection in northern Italy as a potential work by Édouard Manet. Ultraviolet analysis revealed a faded studio stamp, linking the piece to the famed 19th-century painter.
Why it matters
The discovery is significant for providing new insight into Manet's historical working methods and technical approach. It offers scholars a rare look at an unstudied piece that was never previously included in scholarly publications.
The red chalk drawing measures 20.5 centimeters by 17.5 centimeters and is squared for transfer to a canvas. It was previously sold through markets in Germany and Switzerland during the 1930s.
The players
Édouard Manet
He was a French modernist painter who played a pivotal role in the transition from Realism to Impressionism in the 19th century.
Francesco Baccanelli
He is an art historian who identified the drawing while conducting research within a private collection in northern Italy.
Emily Beeny
She is a curator who reviewed the evidence and photographs of the drawing to confirm its potential attribution to Manet.
Burlington Magazine
It is an internationally recognized peer-reviewed journal that publishes original research on fine and decorative arts.
Wildenstein Plattner Institute
This organization is a non-profit dedicated to the research of art history and the creation of comprehensive catalogues raisonnés.
The details
Art historian Francesco Baccanelli discovered the work while inspecting a private collection, later sharing images with curator Emily Beeny for expert verification. The drawing's style and visual similarities to Manet's other works suggest it originated from the artist's studio.
Timeline
The drawing was sold in Germany and Switzerland during the 1930s.
Alexandre was hired to clean Manet's brushes in the late 1850s.
Manet produced the painting Le Déjeuner sur l'herbe in 1863.
Findings regarding the drawing will be published in the October 2026 issue of the Burlington Magazine.
Culture Shift
This discovery highlights the ongoing process of updating established artist catalogues to reflect newly surfaced evidence. It follows the trend of re-evaluating private collections that were previously excluded from the official record.
Art enthusiasts can anticipate upcoming exhibitions or digital archives that may feature the new study following its formal authentication. The discovery underscores the value of maintaining detailed provenance records for private collections.
The takeaway
This discovery serves as a reminder that significant historical treasures can remain hidden in private collections for decades. Collectors should ensure any unknown artworks undergo proper ultraviolet or stylistic analysis by experts to confirm their origin.
What happens next
The findings are scheduled for formal publication in the October 2026 issue of the Burlington Magazine, followed by a potential review by the Wildenstein Plattner Institute for inclusion in their official catalogue.
Further reading
For more on the discovery and authentication of artistic works, visit the Painting section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Times of India.
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