Jean-Louis-Ernest MeissonierFrench, 1815–1891Study of a Dragoon
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Not on view at present
Where is “Study of a Dragoon” now? Collection: Minneapolis Institute of Art, Minneapolis. Not on view at present. Checked September 29, 2026.
Minneapolis, United States
It belongs to the collection, but is not on display at present.
- Checked
- In this state since
- Source
- The museum
About the work
The French history painter Ernest Meissonier had a talent for military subjects, creating accurate reenactments of historic battles, particularly from the Napoleonic period. This drawing relates to two nearly identical paintings by the artist, a highly finished watercolor of 1874 (Yale University Art Gallery) and a large oil painting exhibited at the 1883 Salon (private collection). The paintings, titled The Guide, relate to the Napoleonic campaign in Germany in the fall of 1805 and depict a battalion of French dragoons (mounted cavalry) in the Black Forest led reluctantly by a local German peasant on foot. For such a complex multi-figured scene, Meissonier executed countless preparatory drawings—individual studies of every figure and horse in the composition.
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Here, with painstaking accuracy, he depicts the uniform of this dragoon— his elaborate brass helmet with horsehair, green coat, white breaches, tall black boots, slings and bundled cape—as well as his weapons—a saber and a musket. This serious, mustachioed soldier, a member of the 23rd regiment (identified by his satchel), is even shown wearing the yellow turnbacks and cuffs distinctive to this regiment.
Minneapolis Institute of Art
Details
- Accession number
- 2017.82
In the catalog
Sources
- Minneapolis Institute of Art
- Image: Minneapolis Institute of Art — public domain
In the life of Jean-Louis-Ernest Meissonier
The whole life1875
In Florence as the delegate of the Institut de France
At the centenary festival in honour of Michelangelo he is the delegate of the Institut de France to Florence and speaks as its representative.
1878
Sixteen pictures at the great exhibition of 1878
For the great exhibition of 1878 he sends sixteen pictures, among them the portrait of Alexandre Dumas fils (seen at the Salon of 1877), Cuirassiers of 1805 and Moreau and his Staff before Hohenlinden. From then on Meissonier exhibits less in the Salons and sends his work to smaller exhibitions.
1878–1879
Post: Mayor of Poissy
1880 · Award
Grand Officer of the Legion of Honour
1883
President of the Great National Exhibition
Chosen president of the Great National Exhibition of 1883, he is represented there by The Pioneer, The Army of the Rhine, The Arrival of the Guests and Saint Mark.
24 May 1884
A retrospective at the Petit Gallery: 146 works
An exhibition of Meissonier’s collected works, 146 in all, opens at the Petit Gallery.
