Edouard Manet became bedridden in the beginning of April 1883 after painting Lilac and Roses. He had suffered from partial paralysis in the years leading up to his death and had to have his foot amputated due to gangrene, a complication of syphilis and rheumatism. He passed away eleven days later on April 30, 1883.
Within a year of his death, there was an exhibition organized at the École des Beaux-Arts, the officially sanctioned art school which holds the Salon exhibition. 179 of his paintings, pastels, drawings, and prints were displayed. The irony of the exhibition being held there after he had been refused and ridiculed numerous times previously was noted by critics.
Manet did however see success from his art during his life. He exhibited several times at the Salon de Paris. In 1870 after the destruction of his studio in Paris due to the war, the remaining pieces of his work that were salvaged were all bought by art dealer Paul Durand-Ruel for 50,000 francs (which was a very large sum of money at that time). In 1881, he was awarded the Legion of Honor by the French government. He also illustrated Edgar Allen Poe’s book, the Raven.
His unique style and break away from traditional subjects lead many to consider Edouard Manet the Father of Modern Art.