Suzanne Manet

Who was Suzanne Manet?

Suzanne Manet was a Dutch-born pianist and the wife of the painter Édouard Manet, for whom she frequently modeled.

An excellent pianist, Leenhoff was initially hired in 1851 by Manet's father Auguste, as piano teacher for Édouard and his brothers. In their early twenties, Suzanne and Édouard developed a personal relationship and were romantically involved for approximately ten years. After Édouard left his parents' home he and Suzanne lived together, although they kept their relationship discreet and secret, especially from Édouard's father. She also may have been Auguste's mistress. In 1852, Leenhoff gave birth, out of wedlock, to a son, Leon Koella Leenhoff. Suzanne and Édouard were finally married in October 1863, a year after the death of Édouard's father.

Eleven-year-old Leon Leenhoff, whose father may have been either of the Manets, posed often for Édouard Manet. Most famously, he is the subject of the Boy Carrying a Sword of 1861. He also appears as the boy carrying a tray in the background of The Balcony.