Artwork
Young Man with a Book
Young Man with a Book is an oil painting by the Realist artist Jean Louis Ernest Meissonier. It dates from 1860 and is held in the collection of the Hermitage Museum.
About this work
Overview
Jean-Louis-Ernest Meissonier's 'Young Man with a Book' (1860) is a characteristic example of the artist's meticulous genre scenes set in the eighteenth century.
Jean-Louis-Ernest Meissonier's 'Young Man with a Book' (1860) is a characteristic example of the artist's meticulous genre scenes set in the eighteenth century. The composition centers on a solitary figure seated on a bench against a textured stone wall, absorbed in reading. The subject is attired in period-specific costume, including a red coat, white stockings, and a tricorn hat, reflecting Meissonier's renowned dedication to historical accuracy in costume and setting. Executed in oil paint, the work demonstrates the artist's signature technique of precise brushwork and careful attention to material detail, from the fabric of the clothing to the surface of the book. Painted during the height of Meissonier's career, when he was celebrated across Europe for his small-scale, highly finished historical and genre paintings, this piece exemplifies his ability to capture a quiet, introspective moment. The blurred facial features shift the viewer's focus from individual identity to the universal act of concentration and the tactile reality of the surrounding objects. The work stands as a testament to Meissonier's status as a leading academic painter of the Second Empire, known for combining narrative simplicity with technical virtuosity.
Subject & Meaning
The canvas portrays a youthful figure seated on a bench, absorbed in reading. He wears period costume reminiscent of the eighteenth century—a tricorn hat, a red coat, and white stockings—suggesting an interest in historical dress or a nostalgic reference.
Technique & Style
Meissonier employs a subtle chiaroscuro, allowing light to fall on the figure while the surrounding stone wall recedes into shadow. The rendering of fabric folds and stone texture demonstrates his meticulous attention to surface detail, characteristic of his academic approach.
History & Provenance
Since its creation, the painting entered the Hermitage’s holdings, though the precise acquisition date is not recorded in the available sources. It has been catalogued as part of the museum’s 19th‑century French painting collection.
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…
