Meta-Impressionism / other artists:

Ernest Meissonier

1815 – 1891

a most awarded artist

Ernest Meissonier (1815-91): 1850, SDbr, Sunday at Poisy, 23x30, Orsay (iR10;iR326;aR1;R231-9;M1) Expos: =S1850/51 (sold for 14.000fr); =EU-1855-5057, Le dimanche; les joueurs de tonneau; =GP1884-8; =GP1893-937; — Ernest Meissonier (1815-91): 1850, SDbr, Sunday at Poisy, 23×30, Orsay (iR10;iR326;aR1;R231-9;M1) Expos: =S1850/51 (sold for 14.000fr); =EU-1855-5057, Le dimanche; les joueurs de tonneau; =GP1884-8; =GP1893-937;

Introduction:
Jean-Louis-Ernest Meissonier was born 1815/02/21 in Lyon. He died 1891/01/31 in Paris.
Meissonier was a most awarded artist and member of L’Institut since 1861.
Meissonier made many paintings on a (very) small scale and also many on wood. Even his historical paintings are relatively small.

Meissonier at the Salon:
Meissonier made his debut at the Salon in 1834. He received 3rd class medal in 1840, a 2nd class medal in 1841, a 1st class medal in 1848. After that he joined ‘hors concours’. Meissonier almost yearly exhibited at the Salon and 1880 onwards at it’s successor the Salon de la Société des Artistes Français. But, in 1890 he was co-founder of it’s alternative the Salon de la Société Nationale des Beaux-Arts and became the first president. He would only join in 1890 and posthumously in 1891.

Ernest Meissonier (1815-91): 1856, The chess players, oc, 26x21, Kh Hamburg (iR155;iR10;aR1;M50) Compare: S1835 (=GP1884-2); S1841 (2nd class medal) — Ernest Meissonier (1815-91): 1856, The chess players, oc, 26×21, Kh Hamburg (iR155;iR10;aR1;M50) Compare: S1835 (=GP1884-2); S1841 (2nd class medal)

Ernest Meissonier (1815-91): 1848, La Barricade Rue de la Mortellerie (June 1848) (Remembrance of civil war), 29x22, Louvre (iR155;iR6;aR1;aR2;M5) Expos: =S1850/51, Souvenir de guère civil; GP1884-7. — Ernest Meissonier (1815-91): 1848, La Barricade Rue de la Mortellerie (June 1848) (Remembrance of civil war), 29×22, Louvre (iR155;iR6;aR1;aR2;M5) Expos: =S1850/51, Souvenir de guère civil; GP1884-7.

Ernest Meissonier (1815-91): 1857, SD, L'Attente, ow, 21x16, MNCh Compiègne (iR10;iR155;M200;iR155) Expos: S1857-1886; EU-1867-449 (Grand Prix); GP1884-30; EU-1889-C-503; GP1893-1018. — Ernest Meissonier (1815-91): 1857, SD, L’Attente, ow, 21×16, MNCh Compiègne (iR10;iR155;M200;iR155) Expos: S1857-1886; EU-1867-449 (Grand Prix); GP1884-30; EU-1889-C-503; GP1893-1018.

Meissonier at the Exposition Universelle:
At the Exposition Universelle in 1855 Meissonier showed 4+5=9 paintings (no.3660-3663 +5057-5061); 4 were shown before at the Salon; it included 1 portrait and probably 8 genre paintings.
He received a Grande Médaille d’Honneur.
In 1867 he showed 14 paintings. He also received a Grand Prix.
In 1878 he showed 16 paintings.
In 1889 he showed at the Decennial exposition (l’oeuvres d’Art=OdA) 10 paintings and 1 aquarelle.
In 1889 at the Exposition Centennale he showed a very large number of works. He showed 9 paintings and 1 in collaboration with Louis Français. He also showed 1 aquarelle and 21 drawings (classe II, no.407-413); several numbers contained many drawings. He also showed at least 4 engravings (classe VII,no367)
In 1889 he had been president of the jury.
Posthumously at the Exposition Centennale in 1900 there were just 4 paintings shown of Meissonier (R231-2).

Ernest Meissonier (1815-91): 1855, SDbl, The Brawl, op, 44x57, Buckingham Pallace (iR6;iR155;iR10;R231-9;R337/1857) =EU-1855-3669, Une Rixe (Grande médaille d'Honneur) — Ernest Meissonier (1815-91): 1855, SDbl, The Brawl, op, 44×57, Buckingham Pallace (iR6;iR155;iR10;R231-9;R337/1857) =EU-1855-3669, Une Rixe (Grande médaille d’Honneur)

Ernest Meissonier (1815-91): 1868, SDbl, Antibes, La promenade à cheval, 46x76, Orsay (HW;M1;iR10;R231-7) Expos: EU-1878-627, Antibes (Alpes-Maritimes); Munich-1879-2114. — Ernest Meissonier (1815-91): 1868, SDbl, Antibes, La promenade à cheval, 46×76, Orsay (HW;M1;iR10;R231-7) Expos: EU-1878-627, Antibes (Alpes-Maritimes); Munich-1879-2114.

Meissonier in the Légion d’Honneur:
Meissonier was appointed in the Légion d’Honneur in 1846 as Chevalier and in 1856 as Officier and in 1867 as Commandeur and received the Grand Croix in 1889.

Ernest Meissonier (1815-91): 1864, SDbr, Campagne de France (1814) (Napoleon and his staff are retuning from Soissons after the battle of Laon), ow, 52x77, Orsay (iR6;iR23;iR10;aR1;M1;R231-8+10) Expos: S1864-1328bis; EU-1867-453 (Grand Prix; Commandeur LdH); GP1884-63; EU-1889-C-502; GP1893-892. — Ernest Meissonier (1815-91): 1864, SDbr, Campagne de France (1814) (Napoleon and his staff are retuning from Soissons after the battle of Laon), ow, 52×77, Orsay (iR6;iR23;iR10;aR1;M1;R231-8+10) Expos: S1864-1328bis; EU-1867-453 (Grand Prix; Commandeur LdH); GP1884-63; EU-1889-C-502; GP1893-892.

Ernest Meissonier (1815-91): 1884ca, Le siège de Paris (1870-71), 54x71, Orsay (iR6;iR23;aR1;R231-5) Expos: GP1884-146; =EU-1889-C-506; EdBA-1893-9. — Ernest Meissonier (1815-91): 1884ca, Le siège de Paris (1870-71), 54×71, Orsay (iR6;iR23;aR1;R231-5) Expos: GP1884-146; =EU-1889-C-506; EdBA-1893-9.

Meissonier, later exhibitions:
1884/05/24 – 07/24 there was a benefit exposition (for L’Hospitalité de Nuit) at the art-dealer Georges Petit (aR2). Most of the exhibited works were made on panel.
In 1893 there was a retrospective at the École des Beaux-Arts and ? also at Georges Petit.

Ernest Meissonier (1815-91): 1871ca, The ruins of the Tuileries palace after the Commune (1871/05), 135x93, Orsay (iR305;iR326,iR155;iR10;aR1;M1) =EdBA-1893-8 — Ernest Meissonier (1815-91): 1871ca, The ruins of the Tuileries palace after the Commune (1871/05), 135×93, Orsay (iR305;iR326,iR155;iR10;aR1;M1) =EdBA-1893-8

Ernest Meissonier (1815-91): 1882, SDbl, Saint-Marc de Venise, la Madonna del Baccio, 50x36, Orsay (M1;aR1;iR10;R231-6) Expos: SdAF-1883-502; Antwerp-1883; GP1884-110; EU-1889-OdA-1011, Eglise Saint-Marc (Madonna del Baccio) (E.N. 1883); EdBA-1893-1. — Ernest Meissonier (1815-91): 1882, SDbl, Saint-Marc de Venise, la Madonna del Baccio, 50×36, Orsay (M1;aR1;iR10;R231-6) Expos: SdAF-1883-502; Antwerp-1883; GP1884-110; EU-1889-OdA-1011, Eglise Saint-Marc (Madonna del Baccio) (E.N. 1883); EdBA-1893-1.

Ernest Meissonier (1815-91): 1885-89ca, Inn at the Poissy bridge, 56x46, Orsay (iR10;iR108;M1;aR1;R231-5) Expos: =EU-1889-1016, Auberge au pont de Poissy (à M. Barre); GP1893-898. — Ernest Meissonier (1815-91): 1885-89ca, Inn at the Poissy bridge, 56×46, Orsay (iR10;iR108;M1;aR1;R231-5) Expos: =EU-1889-1016, Auberge au pont de Poissy (à M. Barre); GP1893-898.

Meissonier, a genre painter:
Meissonier was a genre painter, depicted figures in interiors. Aswell contemporary scenes as more historical scenes, namely from the Louis XIII era. In his genre paintings he depicted historical scenes on small canvasses, with utmost historical accuracy. His works are highly detailed (the clothing and furniture) and meticulously finished. He also renders a truthfulness and livelyness in the faces, gestures and postures of the (anonymous) figures.

Ernest Meissonier (1815-91): 1861, SDbl, A Game of Piquet, 29x37, NMW Cardiff (iR6;iR10;M64) — Ernest Meissonier (1815-91): 1861, SDbl, A Game of Piquet, 29×37, NMW Cardiff (iR6;iR10;M64)

Ernest Meissonier (1815-91): 1860, Le Vin du curé, 12x15, MBA Reims (M190;iR10;R231-1) EU-1900-C-459, Le Vin du curé (à M. Vasnier) — Ernest Meissonier (1815-91): 1860, Le Vin du curé, 12×15, MBA Reims (M190;iR10;R231-1) EU-1900-C-459, Le Vin du curé (à M. Vasnier)

Meissonier, depicting war scenes:
Meissonier depicted several war scenes. Compared to other history paintings, these works are rather small.
He depicted the battles of Napoléon Bonaparte and also of a contemporary war in the 1860s in Italy in which he was personally involved.
Probably it were namely these war scenes that gave him the Médailles d’Honneur in 1867 and
He also depicted scenes from the revolutions of 1848 and 1870.

Ernest Meissonier (1815-91): 1863, SDbr, Napoleon III at the battle of Solferino, 44x76, MNCh Compiègne (iR6;iR23;iR10;iR155;M1;M200;R231-8+10+5) Expos: S1861-2184 (not exhibited); =S1864-1328 (bought by the State); EU-1867-452, S.M. l’Empereur à Solférino (Salon de 1864; Musée du Luxembourg) =EU-1889-C-505, L’Empereur à Solférino (Musée du Luxembourg; S.1864); GP1893-1015. — Ernest Meissonier (1815-91): 1863, SDbr, Napoleon III at the battle of Solferino, 44×76, MNCh Compiègne (iR6;iR23;iR10;iR155;M1;M200;R231-8+10+5) Expos: S1861-2184 (not exhibited); =S1864-1328 (bought by the State); EU-1867-452, S.M. l’Empereur à Solférino (Salon de 1864; Musée du Luxembourg) =EU-1889-C-505, L’Empereur à Solférino (Musée du Luxembourg; S.1864); GP1893-1015.

Ernest Meissonier (1815-91): 1878, 1805, Les Cuirassiers avant la charge, 125x198, MC Chantilly (iR6;iR10;aR1;R231-7;M196) =EU-1878-619, Cuirassiers,1805 (sold for 275.000fr) — Ernest Meissonier (1815-91): 1878, 1805, Les Cuirassiers avant la charge, 125×198, MC Chantilly (iR6;iR10;aR1;R231-7;M196) =EU-1878-619, Cuirassiers,1805 (sold for 275.000fr)

Meissonier, a portraitist:
Meissonier also was a portraitist. But, it seems he did this less often than his collagues from L’Institut.

Ernest Meissonier (1815-91): 1877, SDbr, Alexandre Dumas fils (1824-1895), 63x43, MNCh Versailles (iR155;iR127;iR10;R231-7;M195) Expos: =? S1877; =EU-1878-618, Portrait de M. Alexandre Dumas (Salon de 1877) — Ernest Meissonier (1815-91): 1877, SDbr, Alexandre Dumas fils (1824-1895), 63×43, MNCh Versailles (iR155;iR127;iR10;R231-7;M195) Expos: =? S1877; =EU-1878-618, Portrait de M. Alexandre Dumas (Salon de 1877)

Ernest Meissonier (1815-91): 1889, Portrait of the artist, 52x61, Orsay (iR155;iR6;iR23;R231-6;aR1) Expo: =EU-1889-OdA-1014, Portrait — Ernest Meissonier (1815-91): 1889, Portrait of the artist, 52×61, Orsay (iR155;iR6;iR23;R231-6;aR1) Expo: =EU-1889-OdA-1014, Portrait

Meissonier, a landscapist:
Meissonier also made some landscape, namely in Antibes and Venice.

Ernest Meissonier (1815-91): 1885, Playing bowles in the Fosse at Antibes, op, 44x77, AAM New York (iR6;iR10) — Ernest Meissonier (1815-91): 1885, Playing bowles in the Fosse at Antibes, op, 44×77, AAM New York (iR6;iR10)

Ernest Meissonier (1815-91): 1888, SD, The Grand Canal, Venice, 93x130, Orsay (iR155;aR1;R231-6;M1) Expos: EU-1889-OdA-1012, Venice; EdBA-1893-4. — Ernest Meissonier (1815-91): 1888, SD, The Grand Canal, Venice, 93×130, Orsay (iR155;aR1;R231-6;M1) Expos: EU-1889-OdA-1012, Venice; EdBA-1893-4.

Meissonier, an influential artist:
Meissonier was a member of L’Institut since 1861.
Meissonier was a co-founder of the Société National des Beaux-Arts (in 1890). Together with other artists he turned away from the official Salon de la Société des Artistes Français. In that way he was a dissident within L’Institut.

Meissonier, a para-impressionist:
Meissonier would be invited by Degas for the 1st ‘impressionist’ exposition; in that sense you could see him as a para-impressionist.
Félix Bracquemond made engravings of his paintings.

Félix Bracquemond: 1889, SDbr, B793, Lost game, etch, 36x46, NYPL (iR61;iR10;R231-3;R85,no793) =!? SNBA-1891-1373, Partie perdue, eau-forte d'après Meissonier; =!? EU-D-1900-cl8-62, Partie perdue, d'après Messonier; eau-forte. — Félix Bracquemond: 1889, SDbr, B793, Lost game, etch, 36×46, NYPL (iR61;iR10;R231-3;R85,no793) =!? SNBA-1891-1373, Partie perdue, eau-forte d’après Meissonier; =!? EU-D-1900-cl8-62, Partie perdue, d’après Messonier; eau-forte.

Félix Bracquemond: 1885, B349, La Rixe (after Meissonier), etch, 55x65, FAM San Francisco (iR10;M30;iR1;iR19;R231-6;R85III,no349) =!? SdAF-1886-4493, Une gravure: La rixe, d’après M. Meissonier; EU-OdA-1889-2380, Une gravure eau-forte: La Rixe, d'après M. Meissonier (Salon 1886); SNBA-1907-171-97, La Rixe, d'après M. Meissonier (appartient à M. le baron Vitta). — Félix Bracquemond: 1885, B349, La Rixe (after Meissonier), etch, 55×65, FAM San Francisco (iR10;M30;iR1;iR19;R231-6;R85III,no349) =!? SdAF-1886-4493, Une gravure: La rixe, d’après M. Meissonier; EU-OdA-1889-2380, Une gravure eau-forte: La Rixe, d’après M. Meissonier (Salon 1886); SNBA-1907-171-97, La Rixe, d’après M. Meissonier (appartient à M. le baron Vitta).

Other works exhibited by Meissonier:
Here below you will find some titles of works that were exhibited by Meissonier at the Salon and the Exposition Universelle; and links to other sources.

S1846 =EU-1889-C-352 (with Louis Français), Le grand Jet; parc de Saint-Cloud (à Mme Cottier; S.1846)
S1853, À l’ombre des bosquets chante un jeune poête =GP1884-18 (aR2)

EU-1855-3660, Une rixe↑
EU-1855-3661, Les bravi, Appartient à M. le comte de Morny (Salon de 1852)
EU-1855-3662, La lecture, Appartient à Mme la comtesse Lehon
EU-1855-3663, Joueurs de boule sous Louis XV =? EU-1900-C-461, Joueurs de boules sous Louis XV (à S.A.I. le prince Murat).
EU-1855-5057, Le dimanche; les joueurs de tonneau (Salon de 1850-51)↑
EU-1855-5058, Jeune homme travaillant.
EU-1855-5059, Un jeune homme lit en déjeunant; Appartient à M. le comte de Morny (Salon de 1853)
EU-1855-5060, Un homme dessinant, Appartient à M. Didier; Compiègne, musée national du château
EU-1855-5061, Portrait de Mme et de Mlle E. M…

S1857 =EU-1867-449, L’Attente (Salon de 1857; à Mme Meissonier); =EU-1889-C-503, L’Attente (à M. Meissonier; S.1857)↑
S1861 =EU-1867-450, Le Maréchal ferrant (Salon de 1861; à M. Bianchi) (compare etch iR42)
S1861 =EU-1867-451, Portrait de Mme Henri Thénard (Salon de 1861)
S1862 =EU-1889-C-504, Le Graveur à l’eau-forte (à M. Meissonier; S.1862)
S1864 =EU-1889-C-505, L’Empereur à Solférino (Musée du Luxembourg; S.1864)↑
S1864 =EU-1889-C-502, “1814” (à M. Delahante; S.1864)
S1864 =EU-1867-452, S.M. l’Empereur à Solférino (Salon de 1864; Musée du Luxembourg) =EU-1889-C-505, L’Empereur à Solférino (Musée du Luxembourg; S.1864)↑
S1864 =EU-1867-453, 1814, Campagne de France (Salon de 1864; à M. G. Delahante)↑

EU-1867-452, S.M. l’Empereur à Solférino (Salon de 1864; Musée du Luxembourg) =EU-1889-C-505, L’Empereur à Solférino (Musée du Luxembourg; S.1864)↑
EU-1867-453, 1814, Campagne de France (Salon de 1864; à M. G. Delahante)↑
EU-1867-454, 1807 (=? M23 (=EU-Vienna-1873-479); iR6; iR3).
EU-1867-455, Lecture chez Diderot (à M. P. Demidoff) (compare print iR6; see coloured engraving)
EU-1867-456, Le Capitaine (à M. le marquis d’Herford)
EU-1867-457, Cavaliers se faisant servir à boire (à M. le marquis d’Herford)
EU-1867-458, Corps de garde (à M. le marquis d’Herford) (compare engraving iR40)
EU-1867-459, Portrait of M. G(aston) Delahante =EU-1889-C-501, M. Delahante (E.U. de 1867; à M. Delahante)
EU-1867-460, Lecture (à M. X)
EU-1867-461, L’Ordonnance (à M. Prosper Crabble) (=?? M5=iR357=iR6; compare: M1)
EU-1867-462, Renseignements; le général Desaix à l’armée de Rhin et Moselle (=? M36=iR6; compare engraving iR499).

S1877 =EU-1878-618, Portrait de M. Alexandre Dumas (Salon de 1877)↑

EU-1878-618, Portrait de M. Alexandre Dumas (Salon de 1877)↑
EU-1878-619, Cuirassiers; 1805↑.
EU-1878-620, Un peintre vénitien.
EU-1878-621, Sur l’escalier.
EU-1878-622, Un philosophe.
EU-1878-623, Le portrait du sergeni (au baron H. de Schroider).
EU-1878-624, Le peintre d’enseigne (à M. Balkow).
EU-1878-625, Moreau et son chef d’état-major Dessoles, avant Hohenlinden (à M. L. Pereire)
EU-1878-626, Portrait de Mme***.
EU-1878-627, Antibes (Alpes-Maritimes)↑
EU-1878-628, Jouers de boules.
EU-1878-629, Le chemin de la Salice.
EU-1878-630, Les deux amis.
EU-1878-631, Petit post de grand’garde (à M. Stewart) (see M1; iR6).
EU-1878-632, Vedette.
EU-1878-633, Dictant ses mémoires.

S1883 =EU-1889-OdA-1008, Le Guide; – armée de Rhin-et-Moselle (1797) (à M. Crabble; E.N. 1883)
S1883 =EU-1889-OdA-1011, Eglise Saint-Marc (Madonna del Baccio) (E.N. 1883)↑.

EU-1889-OdA-1008, Le Guide; armée de Rhin-et-Moselle (1797) (à M. Crabble; E.N. 1883)
EU-1889-OdA-1009, Iéna.
EU-1889-OdA-1010, Le voyageur.
EU-1889-OdA-1011, Eglise Saint-Marc (Madonna del Baccio) (E.N. 1883)↑.
EU-1889-OdA-1012, Venise↑.
EU-1889-OdA-1013, Portrait de Mlle J.-M…
EU-1889-OdA-1014, Portrait↑.
EU-1889-OdA-1015, Postillon revenant haut le pied (app. M. le colonel Mac-Murdo)
EU-1889-OdA-1016, Auberge au Pont de Poissy (à M. Barre)↑
EU-1889-OdA-1017, Pasquale.
EU-1889-OdA-1578, 1807 (aquarelle) Compare: EU-1867-454, 1807.

EU-1889-C-352 (with Louis Français), Le grand Jet; parc de Saint-Cloud (à Mme Cottier; S.1846)
EU-1889-C-501, M. Delahante (E.U. de 1867; à M. Delahante)
EU-1889-C-502, “1814” (à M. Delahante; S.1864)
EU-1889-C-503, L’Attente (à M. Meissonier; S.1857)↑
EU-1889-C-504, Le Graveur à l’eau-forte (à M. Meissonier; S.1862)
EU-1889-C-505, L’Empereur à Solférino (Musée du Luxembourg; S.1864)↑
EU-1889-C-506, Paris; 1870-1871 (à M. Meissonier)↑
EU-1889-C-507, M. Thiers sur son lit de mort.
EU-1889-C-508, Portrait du Dr. Lefebvre.
EU-1889-C-509, Portrait de Mme***.
EU-1889-C-II-407, L’Allée; aquarelle.
EU-1889-C-II-408, Le Fumeur; dessin. Compare: EU-1900-C-460, Le Fumeur (à M. Bessonneau).
EU-1889-C-II-409, Le Reître; dessin.
EU-1889-C-II-410, L’Aubergiste; dessin.
EU-1889-C-II-411, Neuf croquis; dessin.
EU-1889-C-II-412, Huit croquis; dessin.
EU-1889-C-II-413, Etude d’artilleur; dessin.
EU-1889-C-VII-367, Le Fumeur; L’homme à l’épée; Annibal; M. Meissonier à cheval; eaux-fortes originales (à M. le Dr. Joseph Michel)

EU-1900-C-459, Le Vin du curé (à M. Vasnier)↑.
EU-1900-C-460, Le Fumeur (à M. Bessonneau).
EU-1900-C-461, Joueurs de boules sous Louis XV (à S.A.I. le prince Murat).
EU-1900-C-462, Phébus et Borée (à M. Lutz)

Namesakes of Meissonier:
Jean-Charles Meissonier who received a golden medal at the Exposition Universelle in 1889 (R231-3).

Sources:
Catalogues of the Salon (R337/1868; iR1).
Catalogues of the Expositions Universelle (R231).
R322,p277; R259/1870; R9,p522/3; R88I,p518/9;
Info and pictures on the internet: iR3; iR4; iR6; iR23; iR155; iR202;
See the link for other general References (=Rx) and to the internet references (=iRx).
See links for practical hints and abbreviations and for the subscription of the paintings.

For further reading:
Valéry Gréard: Meissonier, his life and his work (English translation). New York, 1897 (aR1=iR19; aR3=iR40).

Additional references:

dn790007.ca.archive.org (PDF Valéry Gréard: Meissonier, his life and his art (English translation). New York, 1897; =iR19)
dn720003.ca.archive.org (PDF catalogue 1884 exhibition at Georges Petit; =iR19)
upload.wikimedia.org//meissonier (PDF of Valéry Gréard: Meissonier, his life and his art. London, 1897. With 38 plates and 236 illustrations and extracts from notebooks; =iR6)

Recommanded citation: “Meta-Impressionism: Ernest Meissonier (1815-1891), a most awarded artist. Last modified 2025/12/06. https://www.impressionism.nl/ernest-meissonier-1815-91/”

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