ERNEST MEISSONIER (1815-1891) "October 1806,... - Lot 249 - Osenat

Lot 249
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Estimation :
800 - 1200 EUR
ERNEST MEISSONIER (1815-1891) "October 1806,... - Lot 249 - Osenat
ERNEST MEISSONIER (1815-1891) "October 1806, Jena" Pencil sketch on a visiting card "E. Meissonier, Member of the Institute". 5.5 x 9.5 cm This sketch is in a first envelope with an ink inscription "Croquis Meissonier" and a second larger envelope with the engraving "Exposition Meissonier". The sketch that we present was most certainly intended for the realization of an engraving as the envelopes attest. The original painting bought by Mr. E. Simon during the Salon, was lent in 1893 for the important retrospective "Meissonier". Since then, the work, probably still in private hands, remains unknown to national museums and the general public. Historical background: The battle of Jena took place on October 14, 1806 in Jena in the south of the Duchy of Saxony and ended in a crushing victory of the French commanded by Napoleon I, over the Prussians. Meissonier was most famous during the Second Empire for his great cycles of Napoleonic paintings. It was at the height of his official glory, around 1887-1889, that he painted "October 1806, Jena". Presented at the inauguration of the Salon national des Beaux-Arts of which he was the honorary president, it was his last work exhibited. According to the inscription on the back, he was inspired by the Skobeleff horse, a white horse very famous at the time, which was named after the famous Russian general "General White" (1843-1882), who distinguished himself in the Franco-Russian war of 1877-1878. There are similar sketches on panel featured in horses, in the collections of the Musée d'Orsay and Bonnat. Related works: Jules JACQUET (after Messonnier), October 1806, Jena, Musée des Beaux-Arts de Lyon, March 25-June 27, 1993, #111. CHRISTIE'S, November 16, 2006, sketch of the Emperor's horse for the painting October 1806, Jena, oil on panel, 37.5 x 48.2 cm
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