Last Moments of Mexican Emperor Maximilian Antique Art Print

Antique Goupil & Cie. photogravure art print from the picture by Jean-Paul Laurens.

Printed on mid-weight ivory colored stock. Reverse side is blank.

Title: Last Moments of Maximilian, Emperor of Mexico

Publication: The Masterpieces of French Art

Publication Year: 1883

Approximate Page Size (in inches): 14 x 11

Approximate Image Size (in inches): 10 x 7

Condition: Light to moderate foxing in margin area. Image area is very clean. Atticpaper.com watermark does not appear on actual print.

Let us here contemplate the tragic ending of the empire established in Mexico by Napoleon III. Betrayed into the belief that he was the choice of the Mexican people, Ferdinand Maximilian Joseph, Archduke of Austria, brother of the Austrian Emperor, accepted the throne proffered him by Napoleon, and in so doing abdicated his right of succession to the Austrian crown. Having paid farewell visits to the principal European Courts, and received the Papal benediction, Maximilian hopefully set sail for his new empire. He landed at Vera Cruz May 28, 1864, and was received with civic festivities, triumphal arches, flowers and poetry. His illusions with reference to the attitude of the Mexican people were soon dispelled. Repelling the Church-party, who were his chief adherents, he sought to win the Republican leaders to his side, but with small success; so that ere long he found himself without the support of either party, and, to make matters worse, he quarreled with the French generals, whose military successes afforded the principal prop of his throne. The fall of the Southern Confederacy foreshadowed the fate of his tottering empire. In 1866 the rapid decline of the Imperialist cause was accelerated by the withdrawal from Mexico of the French forces. Advised by Napoleon to abdicate, Maximilian, in October 1866, had proceeded to Orizaba, on his way to Europe, when he was induced by the Church party to return again and throw himself upon the "Conservatives." That step sealed his doom. In a few months the army that he recruited was defeated, and himself and his chief generals were captives. One of the prime errors of his administration was the issue of an edict ordering the execution as bandits of the Republican leaders who should be captured. That extreme measure no doubt determined his own fate; for, after trial by a military council, the young Emperor was condemned to be shot, and no influence could secure a mitigation of the sentence. The execution took place on June 18, 1867, just three years after his joyous and triumphant entry.

Despite their hatred of his government, Maximilian himself was admired by the people for his chivalric bearing and winning manners. He met his doom with heroic fortitude, as our artist faithfully represents. His calmness is effectively contrasted with the uncontrollable grief of his secretary, and with the emotion of the father confessor who has come to support the prisoner's last moments with religious consolations. The pictorial narrative is completed by the presence of the Mexican officer in the doorway, with the soldiers at his back.