Manet had endeavored to gain acceptance and positive criticism by Salon and the art community throughout his career. He also made a replica of Titian's Venus of Urbino in Florence, where he inspired the painting ' Olympia'. During this period, he went to European countries such as Germany, Italy, and Holland, and visited large museums. While he was studying in the workshop, in his free time, he went to the Louvre Museum and copied the works of the old masters. Even though his master Couture's work contradicted his own conception of art, he spent six years with him. He was now determined to become an artist and in 1850, with the permission of his parents, he began to work with Antonin Proust in the atelier of Thomas Couture, the representative of the historical painting. In 1849 he returned to France and tried entering the maritime school again but failed a second time. His journey to Rio de Janeiro further strengthened Manet's desire to turn towards art. In 1848 he set out for Brazil with a training ship called ’Le Havre et Guadeloupe'. He had applied to maritime school but had not succeeded in the entrance examination. His family decided Manet would be a sailor. Only his uncle Charles Faurnier supported his nephew and encouraged him to paint. The wealthy family of the Paris bourgeoisie wanted their son to study law. At an early age, he became interested in painting. Here he met Antonine Proust, with whom he would become a friend throughout his life. Manet enrolled at Rollin College when he was twelve years old.

His mother was the goddaughter of the Swedish crown prince Charles Bernadotte, his father was a judge.

He was the eldest of the three boys of the couple Auguste Manet and Eugénie-Désirée Fournier. Édouard Manet was born in Paris on 23 January 1832.

Olympia 1856 by edouard manet elements