Ernst Meissonier and Art for the French Bourgeoisie
Ernst Meissonier and Art for the French Bourgeoisie
Out of Print
This study documents the career of one of the most widely-known French artists of the nineteenth century. The embodiment of mainstream taste, Jean-Louis-Ernst Meissonier was scorned by the avant-garde but was highly regarded by his middle-class clientele for his jewel-like genre paintings. Examining his art in detail, Constance Cain Hungerford follows Meissonier's formation as a wood-engraving designer, to his virtuous production of small scale genre scenes, his larger battlefield paintings, and his several images of modern revolution and war. Also analysed is the state-administered exhibition system, in which Meissonier excelled, as well as the developing art market, in both Europe and the United States.
- Only such study in English since 1897
- Includes checklist of works exhibited during artist's lifetime, with reproductions or sources where they may be found
- Over one hundred illustrations, including four in colour
Reviews & endorsements
'Well researched, carefully considered, elegantly written, and skilfully argued Dr Hungerford succeeds admirably in explaining how Meissonier with less rebellious imagination and his journey-man standards of execution was indisputably one of the most eminent artists of his day.' The Art Newspaper
'… lucid and informative. Her approach is straightforward, critical and chronological, but provides ample material for a more theoretical study.' Linda Whiteley, Burlington Magazine
Product details
March 1999Hardback
9780521632409
288 pages
262 × 185 × 26 mm
0.98kg
98 b/w illus. 4 colour illus.
Unavailable - out of print
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- 1. Meissonier's formation
- 2. Critical sources in the July monarchy
- 3. The Revolution of 1848
- 4. The genre paintings of the Second Empire
- 5. A banker will buy it
- 6. A new apprenticeship in history painting
- 7. Siege and Civil War
- 8. The Flash of Sabres
- 9. Achilles in his tent
- 10. Enthroned in full glory.
