Rochefort's Escape

Rochefort's Escape, a renowned painting on canvas by Édouard Manet, dramatically captures the 1874 prison break of the politically controversial Marquis de Rochefort-Luçay. Manet, typically associated with the Impressionism movement, adopts history painting genre to illustrate this event so fresh in the public memory. Painted in oil around 1881, this artwork presents Rochefort's daring getaway to a marina after his captivity in New Caledonia due to his involvement in the Paris Commune. Housed in the Kunsthaus Zürich, a smaller version graces the Musée d'Orsay. The work embodies Manet's signature style whilst reflecting an important historical event.