The Roland Collection

This video celebrates the complexity and richness of Manet's painting and its intriguing blend of tradition and modernity. News of the execution of the Emperor Maximilian in Mexico in the summer of 1867 provided Manet with the chance to depict a current event which could match the epic dramas of past history. The video examines Manet's commitment to painting the history of his own era, which his friend Baudelaire characterized as the 'heroism of modern life.' It traces the development of Manet's art during the 1860s and explores the ways in which he used painting to comment on his own time. Many of Manet's most celebrated works are examined, and their debt to Spanish art, especially the paintings of Velazquez and Goya, is assessed. Manet's visit to Spain in 1865 is documented with footage shot on location.