What did Charles Baudelaire the poet who was Manet's friend say about Manet's paintings?

Answer 1

".....we are surrounded by the heroism of modern life, (but there is as yet no painter) who will know how to tear out of life its epic side and make us see, with color or drawing, how grand we are in out neckties and varnished boots!

"He is the painter of modern life"

This is inaccurate. In fact, Baudelaire famously chose the artist Constantin Guys instead of Manet as his "painter of modern life." Art historians have scratched their heads bald over this, as they have also over a remark the poet wrote in 1865 as part of a reply to Manet, who had expressed his despair over rough handling by the critics. Baudelaire wrote, as if to scold him, "you are only the first in the decrepitude of your art." Although this remark has sometimes been characterized as cryptic, in context it indicates that Baudelaire believed that the painter was only getting what he deserved!

"You complain about attacks? But are you the first to endure them? Have you more genius than Chateaubriand and Wagner? They were not killed by derision. And, in order not to make you too proud, I must tell you, that they are models each in his own way and in a very rich world, whilst you are only the first in the decrepitude of your art." -Charles Baudelaire