Edward Manet was born in Paris, France. He studied with Thomas Couture from 1850-1856, he drew at the Academie Suisse and copied the Old Masters at the Musee du Louvre. After he left Couture's studio, Manet traveled in Europe, visiting Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, Austria, and Italy. In 1861 Manet's paintings were accepted by the Salon and received favorable press, and he began exhibiting his paintings at the Galerie Martinet in Paris. In 1865, Manet's Olympia and Christ Mocked were greeted with great hostility when shown at the Salon. Manet declined to show with the Impressionists in their first exhibition in 1874. In 1881 Manet, then ailing, was decorated with the Legion d'Honneur. Manet was one of the most influential artists of the 19th century whose work inspired the Impressionist style. He became a hero to artists who were trying to break away from outmoded conventions. Manet's ingenuity and originality caused scandal and brought criticism not only for his technique, but for his depiction of nudes as real people in contemporary settings, rather than in the accepted style as goddesses in mythological settings.