Jean Louis Ernest Meissonier
Ernest Meissonier (1815-1891) is a well-known painter devoted to historical subjects; in any case, the exquisite technique of that French painter is present in his genre scenes and his portraits. The Prado Museum in Madrid shows a beautiful portrait ‘La Marquesa de Manzanedo’ (the Marquise of Manzanedo). This painting is exhibited in one of the permanent galleries devoted to paintings dating back the 19th century. We need to mention that Meissonier was born the same year the Waterloo Battle took place, the fall of Napoleon Bonaparte. He painted Napoleon and the emperor’s army so many times. In order to depict battle sceneries properly enough, he used to model small soldiers and horses. He enjoyed great prestige and success during his lifetime, but like so many academicist painters as the time…