Manet and the Execution of Maximilian

The other day I visited, along with the Misses and Sir Nathan Skiles, the Manet show at Moma. This was truly one of the best shows I have ever seen. Here's why: The show was scholarly and focused. All of Manet's Maximilian paintings were hung together on one wall with the rest of the exhibition unfolding around them. The rest of the works featured were like a supporting cast of drawings, etchings and photographs documenting the event and tangentially related artworks, including Goya etchings and additional Manet paintings. By far, the most exciting work is the painting seen above, not because of the events causing it to be cut up, sold as separate paintings and subsequently reassembled by Degas (full story here) and not because of what these events appear to do to the painting aesthetically. Those things are really interesting. In fact, however, its just about the paint.