Complex sentence: The increased use of the new technology of photography began to free artists such as Manet to do more than merely imitate life, at any rate, Manet was confident enough to take liberties with literal transcription for the sake of composition.
Split into simpler sentences: The increased use of the new technology of photography began to free artists such as Manet to do more than merely imitate life. At any rate, Manet was confident enough to take liberties with literal transcription for the sake of composition.