Le Déjeuner Sur L'Herbe

Le Déjeuner sur L'herbe (Lunch on the Grass) is a strange painting. Of course, that's exactly why it's famous. A classically painted nude + some Marxist dudes + a nymph + a generic forest scene= Manet's genius. The painting was part of the Salon de Refusés, an exhibition of work that was initially rejected by Paris Salon- hello street cred (OWS eat your heart out). Anyway, if you crave more insightful criticism click here.

So of course, a group of SVA students and artists had to reinterpret this iconic painting in the place where art goes to die.... Bushwick. The Bogart Salon  hosted a "reflection upon and homage" to Déjeuner with live models reenacting the poses and the rest of us photobombing the scene. I love how the scenery seems to move around the subject, even the light is drawn to the figures. I think Manet would approve.

All photos by Nick Shepard

More photos after the Jump!