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J-L. E. Meissonier
1815 - 1891
The Artist
Jean-Louis-Ernest Meissonier
(1815
–
1891) was a leading
French
Classicist
painter and
sculptor, known also for his etchings
and occasional but rare lithographs. Born in Lyon in 1815,
his work attracted the attention of the French collectors early
on, and he was already shown at the Paris Salon in 1836, at age
21, with Chess
Player and the Errand Boy. At
the
Salon of 1857, he exhibited nine
canvasses. His paintings and drawings were consistently
shown at the Paris Salon exhibits throughout his life. He
was fascinated, perhaps obsessed, with matters military and not
only were many of his paintings military scenes, but he
personally served most of his life in the military. Meissonier died in Paris in 1891 celebrated as the 19th century
European artist who commanded the highest prices for his
paintings during his lifetime. (His Cuirassiers was sold
upon completion for £10,000 and in 1890, his painting 1814
was sold for $100,000).
This Collection
This grouping of images constitutes a
portfolio of prints published in 1893
by J. S. Virtue & Co., London, entitled,
MEISSONIER: A Collection of Etchings and Engravings
of Twelve of the Choicest of His Paintings, with
Descriptions.
The original paintings by Meissonier were
painted between 1835 and 1862,
and the etchings, engravings and
photogravures were created for publication between
1862 and
1893. The portfolio is bound, with loose pages,
and was "From the Library of George N. Black of Springfield,
Illinois, a gift to the libraries of Illinois of the son and
daughter of George N. Black," (a printed ex libris
found on
the inside cover), and is signed in pencil
"George N. Black, Jany (sic) 25, 94."
Each image is accompanied by a full page
"description" which places the painting into Meissonier's
life. The author is not noted. All prints (paper size) are
27 x 38 cm (10 5/8 x 15 inches); image sizes are noted
with each print shown above. The prints are in excellent
repair. The paper, however, is slightly yellowed with age and
the edges are slightly darker; ample borders have kept the
images intact. The etchings are in a medium brown ink, the
engravings in slightly darker ink, and the photogravures in the
darkest ink. Titles and attributions are in ink matching
the image. The portrait (above) of Meissonier
is not a part of the portfolio.
For further information, please contact
the gallery by email.
EMAIL INQUIRY
Imagi Gallery
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