An excellent pianist, Leenhoff was initially hired in 1851 by Manet's father, Auguste, as a piano teacher for Édouard and his brothers.

Auguste was a domineering figure in Édouard's life, insisting that his son study law and avoid the arts.

In their early twenties, Suzanne and Édouard developed a personal relationship and were romantically involved for some ten years.

The birth certificate gave Leenhoff as the mother but "Koëlla" as the father, an individual never identified and likely invented.

Degas intended to re-paint the likeness of Suzanne at the piano and he reiterated his intention to Ambroise Vollard in conversation with him around the turn of the century.