The artist in question is Édouard Manet, a French painter who was a pivotal figure in the transition from Realism to Impressionism. He is best known for his painting 'Luncheon on the Grass, ' which depicts two fully clothed men and a nude woman in a rural setting. The painting caused a scandal when it was first exhibited in 1863 due to its unconventional subject matter. Manet's work has since become a cornerstone of modern art.