France, 19th century / 1867
On a Terrace
The Cleveland Museum of Art catalogs On a Terrace as painting (France, 19th century · 1867).
Meissionier was known for his masterful draftsmanship and scrupulous attention to detail. He amassed a "work library" of accessories from local costume markets to ensure that the subjects in his paintings were authenticity attired.
A CLOSER LOOK
The museum identifies this painting as oil on wood panel and credits Ernest Meissonier (French, 1815–1891).
The museum's collection notes: Trained as a printmaker and book illustrator, Meissonier specialized in small paintings depicting scenes from French history and literature. This painting on wood panel depicts a man dressed like a character from The Three Musketeers (published in 1844) by Alexandre Dumas père. Such paintings, admired for their technical virtuosity and romantic subjects, were immensely popular. Meissonier also painted contemporary military subjects and themes and became an arch-foe of the Realist painter Gustave Courbet.
FOLLOW THE EVIDENCE
The Cleveland Museum of ArtOn a TerraceOriginal explanation based on the sources above. Images carry their own reuse terms.