Final answer:
French painter Édouard Manet played a key role in the transition from Realism to Impressionism, notable for his revolutionary techniques and early masterworks like The Luncheon on the Grass, which influenced future development of modern art.
Step-by-step explanation:
Édouard Manet (1832–1883), a renowned French painter, is often noted as a pivotal figure in the development of modern art, with his transition from Realism to Impressionism. Manet's ability to capture the ephemeral aspects of modern life made his works revolutionary. His early masterworks, such as The Luncheon on the Grass and Olympia, provoked controversy due to their break from traditional norms and spurred younger artists towards the Impressionist movement.
Manet's techniques included loose brush strokes, a simplification of detail, and a suppression of transitional tones, aligning with the Realist practice of his time but also laying the groundwork for the Impressionist emphasis on light and color. While his works like Music in the Tuileries depicted leisurely activities akin to 19th century Parisian life under a new light, it was their departure from the high standards of Salon art that truly shocked and influenced the art world.
In his later career, although his work became tamer, Manet's legacy endured. His innovative approach to painting—capturing scenes in a single session and his method of directly applying bold brushstrokes—became significant inspiration for the Impressionists. As the Salon des Refuses displayed his controversial pieces, Manet eventually gained acknowledgment as a forerunner of modernism, even if acceptance came posthumously.