Modernism was necessary because this painting—“Blanchette’s Wedding,” by Edmond van der Meulen—was accepted for a place in the Paris Salon of 1896, the world’s most prestigious annual exhibition, conferring on it the seal of the art establishment’s approval as a work of enduring merit. (Dr. Boli regrets that he has not been able to find a color reproduction, in spite of thirty-five seconds of earnest searching.) Perhaps we may judge great art by the questions it provokes in the mind of the viewer. In this case, the question we must ask ourselves is this: Do you suppose the bride and groom met while playing poker?