The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-11-29
FINE ARTS.

MANET 3 ''EXECUTION OF MAMMALIAN
Edouard Manet is the apostle OF French natural
ism in painting Emile lola is in literature.
None of his work has, as far as we know. ever been
exhibited in this country. Therefore the fact that
his largest painting 1.-THE Execution of Maximilian."
is in this city and will be placed public exhibi-
ton on Monday, is of unusual artistic interest.
The private view will take place this evening at Q
room in Broadway. The large canvas was painted
IN 1867, just after the event it pictures mad oc.
CURED, and was offered. with other of Manet's
paintings. by the artist for display at the Universal
Exhibition in Paris, of that year. but refused
He. like Courbet. established in q separate build.
ing exhibition of his works. the display
Of the present one however. being nterdiccd by the
imperial government. In France the picture has
never been publicly secn. NJ. CASTOR de Bcauplan.
friend OF Manet under arrangement with the lat
tor, brought it with him to this country and will
now place 1t on exhibition Its faults as a work Of
art many and it is woully inaccurate. but it has
many qualities of excellence which will. however.
appeal more to the artist and amateur than to the
general public. AS the work of so unconventional,
powerful and original man it should, however, be
interesting to all.
On large canvas eight feet eleven inches in length
by eight feet four inches in height the ife-size
figures of the Mexican Emperor. his two generals
their executors To the Left facing the specta-
is on his left, and of Miramon to his right. Standing
semicircle with their backs to us. at only some
eight fest away from the three are tho firing squad
The officer in charge is behind them, and ut their
back the right, stands the sergeant cooking his
squad of six are i'll the act of firing evidently at
Mejia, and the flame and smoke partly obscure the
faces of the fated three. Macmillan. with Next
sombrero on his head but clad otherwise in
European civil dress. looks boldly at the soldiers.
or the two others. in their shirt sleeves.
Mcjia has his head thrown back and extends his
right arm. with hand clinched in agony, as If just
shot. while Miramon, like him, with feet planted
wide apart, clasps with energetic action tho hand Of
the Emperor and turns calm disdainrul face to the
soldiers. The poses and actions OF these three
figures are highly dramatic The locale is repre-
secuted close to the wall of cemetery OF the
monuments of which are seen among the trees, on
hillside to the right Over the wall lean group Of
curious Mexican children, girls and boys: while In
the middle distance groups of spectators inds-
tinctly defined. The painting is as coarse as the
work on q piece OF theatrical scenery, and is in
broad fiat masses, accentuated here and there by
few shades aud shadows. The extreme nat uraness
have alluded of the very and
OF the group OF gamins on the wall is artistically
excellent. The sergeant to the right is especially
well given. or detail there is none examine
ton. Confused spashes OF paint. which ut close
quarters look like mass of frozen beef. ut distance
assume the form and action OF hands clasped or in
other positions. The whole work seems huge
ebache. The faithfulness of the silhouctes Of the
figures and the impression of the action conveyed Is
almost Photographic in its correctness The shadows
cast on the grouni by them curiously inexact in
their portrayal. We are constantly reminded of the
the little group or children, daubed in. we might
but in most effective manner The little girl.
leaning her head on her bare arms, as she looks
with curious cold eyes ut the dying men, is very
charmingly indicated. The color key is low grays.
dark blues and green's being the prcdomipant tints.
Figures and all take their place wonderfully well.
AT the proper distance all the detail is there.
the whole scene scene is incorrect; for the three
men were over two PAGES apart and wero shot stand.
ing ON hillside with their executioners below
them and inside hollow square of 1000 men.
Meta, besides. who Is represented as OF about the
same height as his companions. was a very short
man. Macmillan had also changed his place from
the centre the left OF the lne The costumes and
accoutrements Of the soldiers. too. might be crit.
cised on the score of inaccuracy Again, where ara
or this picture Emile lola has written:-"I assert
that this is truly the flesh blood of the
painter 1t is he entirely and nothing but he. Il
will remain the most characteristic example OF his
talent. as well as the highest type Of his power.
Manet has admirably succeeded IN produo-
ing work of painter. OF great painter. moan in
transating page Of history into personal idiom.
with truth Of light and shade with the truth Of OBJ
jects and personages."
As M. Manet little known here it will be
well to give some details of his career. Born in
1888. he. ut the age OF seventeen. showed a great
taste tor painting. His parents wished to make q
sailor OF HIM. SO he made voyage to Rio janeiro
turn to France he had his way and entered the
studio OF Courbet. From the first he declared him.
self revoutionist against tho usual methods aud
convcntonalities of the French school OF the day,
and has therefore had many difficulties to encounter
ture. in 1860, was ''The Absinthe Drinker." From
the time OF the exhibition OF this work each of his
canvases has created somewhat OF a sensation.
Among them are 1.-THE Break fast the Grass" 1.-THE
smoker.""A Monk Praying" THE Lady at the Win
Kcarsargc and the Alabama" lie Bon Book"
us73) Little Girl Watching the Train
Pass" QS14 "Argenteun' 1873. Portrait Of
Faure in Hamlet Cls77). "Thc Opera Ball.
QS7s) "Dans la Serre'' aud cen Batcau" (157g). He
has several times had his works refused ut the SALON.
The celebrated baritone Faure. the sale Of whose
pictures in Paris created some sensation couple OF
years ago. had bought during ten years about twen-
prices. His profits these his sale ara stated to
have been great Tho painter Is said to be charm-
Ing and witty man: his studio IL of the most
elegant In Paris and the following phrase. which he
once wrote, is characteristics of hin: til have
always thought that the first places not given;
that they taken"