Ernest Meissonier was born in Lyon and was initially apprenticed to a pharmacist before changing the course of his studies, under the recommendation of Jules Potier, to study art. He was admitted to the studio of Leon Cogniet for his training as an artist.
Meissonier worked mainly as a painter, creating works of intense detail. He was famous for historical scenes documenting the Napoleonic campaigns and military life such as ‘The Emperor at Solferino’, 1863. His sculpture was only discovered after his death and was presented for the first time at two retrospective exhibitions which were held in Paris in 1893. He was a meticulous painter and took immense care in his depictions of nature. Whilst he did indeed sculpt from as early as 1840, it is believed that he considered his three-dimensional work to be a part of the painting process. It was therefore not exhibited at the Salon, and it is likely to have been created as a preparatory study for a painting.
Artworks
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Le Voyageur, 1878
Louis-Ernest Meissonier
A fine quality nineteenth century bronze model of ‘Marshall Ney on Horseback’, also entitled ‘Horseman in the Wind’ and ‘The Voyager’ by Jean Louis Meissonier […]
Exhibitions
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2016, Masterpiece
29th Jun 2016 - 3rd Jul 2016, The Royal Hospital Chelsea, London
Masterpiece is London’s leading international fairs for art, antiques and design and an essential event in the capital’s busy summer…
Chapeau à Frankfurt. Reflections on Impressionist Sculpture
12th May 2021 - 16th Jul 2021,
2010, Exhibition
1st Jun 2010 - 16th Jul 2010, Sladmore Gallery, London
This exhibition features a selection of works drawn from our stock of important nineteenth and twentieth century sculpture. A piece…
2016, Masterpiece
29th Jun 2016 - 3rd Jul 2016, The Royal Hospital Chelsea, London
Masterpiece is London’s leading international fairs for art, antiques and design and an essential event in the capital’s busy summer…