Artwork
Group of Cavalry in the Snow: Moreau and Dessoles before Hohenlinden
Group of Cavalry in the Snow: Moreau and Dessoles before Hohenlinden is an oil painting by the Realist artist Jean Louis Ernest Meissonier. It dates from 1875 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Ireland.
About this work
Overview
Jean‑Louis Ernest Meissonier’s 1875 oil painting, titled *Group of Cavalry in the Snow: Moreau and Dessoles before Hohenlinden*, depicts a wintery cavalry charge. The work is part of the National Gallery of Ireland’s collection and measures the scene in a realistic, detail‑driven manner.
Subject & Meaning
The canvas presents a group of uniformed horsemen traversing a snow‑covered landscape, their mounts equipped with military tack. Two figures stand on a rocky rise in the distance, suggesting a moment of pause or command amid the harsh cold.
Technique & Style
Executed in oil, Meissonier employs a muted palette of browns, grays and whites, emphasizing the chill of the setting. Precise rendering of uniforms and equine anatomy reflects his characteristic realism and meticulous attention to material texture.
History & Provenance
Created in the late nineteenth century, the painting entered the National Gallery of Ireland where it remains on display. Its acquisition history beyond the museum’s holdings is not extensively documented.
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…
