Manet painted "The Fifer" after a trip to Spain he made in 1865. There he discovered the work of Diego Velázquez. Manet reflected the influence of Spanish painting in "The Fifer". The painting was rejected by the jury of the Paris Salon in 1866. The painting was exhibited in 1867. Manet died in 1883. In 1884, "The Fifer" was seen at the major retrospective exhibition of Manet's work organized as a tribute.