The Execution of Maximilian

The Execution of Maximilian by Édouard Manet French, 1832-1883, is a historically critical print created between 1867 and 1868. This powerful work addresses the recent, sensational political execution of Emperor Maximilian of Mexico by Republican forces in June 1867, an event that caused significant scandal across Europe and within the artist's native France. Manet used the medium of lithography to widely disseminate his immediate artistic response to the political fallout resulting from the failed intervention by Napoleon III.

The piece is a lithograph executed in black, utilizing scraping to achieve dramatic highlights and stark contrasts, rendered on ivory chine laid down upon ivory wove paper. While Manet created several major painted versions of this subject, his choice to produce this print allowed for broader circulation and immediate public commentary on the deeply controversial incident.

Manet’s realism is evident in his depiction of the scene, placing the viewer uncomfortably close to the firing squad. Unlike traditional history painting, Manet employs a modern, unheroic style, focusing on the mechanical and brutal finality of the execution. The figures of the soldiers resemble those Manet used in other works, emphasizing the universality of military action rather than specific portraiture of the Mexican army.

This classification as a print highlights the medium's role in 19th-century political discourse, providing Manet a crucial avenue for direct expression beyond the official Salon exhibitions. The original print resides in the distinguished collection of the Art Institute of Chicago, standing as a testament to Manet's engagement with contemporary events and his pioneering role in Modern art. Today, high-quality reproductions of historical prints such as The Execution of Maximilian are frequently accessed through public domain collections.