TOW #2- The Execution of Maximilian by Manet

(The Execution of Maximilian by Edouard Manet. 1867-1868)

            This painting was done by Manet who was a famous contemporary painter in the late 1800’s. He painted many modern historical events like the Civil War and he disapproved of Napoleon III.

            This painting depicts the execution of the Mexican king Maximilian and two of his generals. During that time period Napoleon III took over Mexico and put a ruler of his choice into office. This, of course, upset the Mexican people, so many militias rebelled against the new king. After, Napoleon gave up on Mexico he started to withdraw troops from the area and left Maximilian there basically to die. Soon the Mexicans overthrew he army and a public execution was held. In the painting you can see the troops in mid-fire as they point their guns towards Maximilian and his generals. In the back of the painting you can see the raised sword, which is the order to start firing. The painting is missing certain pieces due to damage, so not all of it is shown above.

            When analyzing this paining a good amount of devices are used to express pathos. The first is that in the painting you can gee the general holding hands with Maximilian as they are being fired upon. This handholding shows that they are scared and expresses innocence. This makes the audience feel for the king.

The other aspect is the fact that the backs of the Mexican soldiers are turned away from the viewer. This expresses that the Mexican people were against the audience and that they should be interpreted as enemies.

            When analyzing this painting the purpose doesn’t seem clear to me.  Manet was against Napoleon but in the painting he seems to depict the king, who Napoleon installed, as a good person. So I like to think that perhaps he liked the king but didn’t like Napoleon. And with this assumption I believe the purpose is to express to the French people, who I believe is the intended audience, what happened to him and to persuade that the Mexicans are bad people. If this is his intended purpose I believe he expresses it well with the pathos he expresses.