Collection: Ernest Meissonier

Jean-Louis-Ernest Meissonier (1815–1891) was a French painter, illustrator, and sculptor. Born in Lyon and dying in Paris, he was a figure in academic painting. Meissonier specialized in military and historical subjects, particularly depicting Napoleonic battles and military manoeuvres. He studied in Léon Cogniet's studio and was later a teacher of Édouard Detaille.

Meissonier's artistic singularity lay in his meticulous attention to fine detail and assiduous craftsmanship. Art critic John Ruskin noted his "manual dexterity and eye for fascinating minutiae" when examining his work. He often depicted scenes of chivalry and masculine adventure set against pre-Revolutionary and pre-industrial France, alongside his Napoleonic themes. His painting The Grand Smoker (1843) exemplifies his genre scenes, while The Defense of Paris (1870–71) showcases his historical subjects.

Meissonier achieved considerable success during his lifetime, commanding high prices for his works. He was among the successful artists of the Second Empire, alongside Jean-Léon Gérôme and Alexandre Cabanel. Despite his popularity, some critics, such as Paul Mantz, observed a seemingly limited repertoire in his subject matter.