拍品专文
This beautifully rendered ink drawing depicts the legendary heroine of the Franco-Prussian war, Juliette Dodu. In 1878, she was the first woman to become Chevalier de la Légion d'Honneur in recognition of her acts of courage during the war. Manet's thoughtful study of Mademoiselle Juliette Dodu calls attention to this unprecedented honor by depicting the medal prominently on her chest. When the Pithiviers telegraph office of southern France was relocated to her mother's house, Dodu intercepted Prussian transmissions and relayed the messages back to the French army. It is estimated that her efforts during the war of 1870 saved nearly 40,000 soldiers. Though condemned to death for her acts of espionage, Dodu was saved by the armistice and died many years later in the home of her brother-in-law, the artist Odilon Redon.