What you are looking at
A nude woman lies on a bed and stares straight at us, with a black cat at her feet. A Black maid brings her a large bouquet of flowers.
Why it is famous
Manet based the pose on Titian's Venus of Urbino but made the woman a modern Parisian courtesan who meets our gaze without shame. It caused a scandal at the Salon of 1865. The maid was modeled by a woman named Laure, and her role in the picture has become an important subject in its own right.
How big is Olympia?
Olympia measures 130.5 × 191 cm (51.4 × 75.2 in), without its frame. Its surface is about 6 times the area of the Mona Lisa.
Compare it with other paintings
Where to see it
It is at the Musée d'Orsay in Paris.
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More by Édouard Manet
Also at the Musée d'Orsay
Frequently asked questions
Who painted Olympia?
Édouard Manet painted Olympia in 1863.
Where is Olympia?
Olympia is in the Musée d'Orsay, Paris, France.
How big is Olympia?
130.5 × 191 cm (51.4 × 75.2 in). Its surface is about 6 times the area of the Mona Lisa.
What is Olympia made with?
Oil on canvas.
Sources: Wikidata Q737062; Wikipedia, "Olympia". Checked October 17, 2026. How we check.