Edouard Manet was a French painter who lived from 1832 to 1883. He is best known for his painting 'Olympia', which was completed in 1863 and is considered to be one of the most important works of the 19th century. Manet's painting of Olympia was revolutionary for its time, as it depicted a nude woman in a realistic manner, rather than the idealized nudes of the past. The painting was controversial and sparked debate among critics and the public alike. Manet's work continues to influence modern art today.