Artwork
A Painter
A Painter is an unspecified painting by the Realist artist Jean Louis Ernest Meissonier. It dates from 1855 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
About this work
A Painter is a work by French artist Jean Louis Ernest Meissonier, dated 1855. The piece is listed as an oil on mahogany, though the exact medium isn’t specified in the record. It sits in the collection of a major U.S. museum, where it’s part of their historic European holdings. If you’re curious about where to see it in person, check out the museum next. The Cleveland Museum of Art.
Overview
Ernest Meissonier’s 1855 work titled *A Painter* (French: *Le Peintre*) is an oil painting executed on a mahogany panel. The piece is part of the European collection at the Cleveland Museum of Art in the United States.
Subject & Meaning
The composition depicts a solitary figure engaged in the act of painting, offering a quiet glimpse into the studio practice of a 19th‑century artist. By focusing on the painter’s tools and posture, Meissonier emphasizes the contemplative nature of artistic labor.
Technique & Style
Meissonier employed oil pigments on a smooth mahogany surface, allowing for fine detail and subtle tonal variations. The painting reflects his early academic approach, with precise brushwork and a restrained palette that highlights the interior setting.
History & Provenance
Created in 1855, the work entered the Cleveland Museum of Art’s holdings as part of its historic European acquisitions. The museum’s records list the painting among its early 19th‑century French pieces, though the exact path of ownership before its museum accession is not detailed.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Jean-Louis-Ernest Meissonier was a French academic painter and sculptor. He became famous for his depictions of Napoleon and his military sieges and manoeuvres in paintings acclaimed both for the artist's mastery of…
