French Neoclassical Painter & Draftsman

Description

Monograph on Charles Meynier (1763-1832) by MAYER-MICHALON (Isabelle), with preface by Jean-Pierre Cuzin. Published by Arthena, Deauville, 2008. Hardbound in gray linen with illustrated dust jacket. Quarto format (33 x 25 cm), 448 pages with 520 illustrations, 103 in color. As a devoted pupil and favorite of François-André Vincent, Meynier pursued an official career beginning with the Prix de Rome in 1789, continuing through the Empire and Restoration with salon submissions and state commissions. He also worked for prominent private collectors of his era: Boyer-Fonfrède, Lucien Bonaparte, Marshal Berthier, and Count von Schönborn. As a history painter, Meynier was primarily a master draftsman and subject creator, seeking rarely illustrated episodes from classical sources. His drawings reflect considerable erudition, deep study of antiquity, and unusual literary knowledge, confirmed by the significance of his library and print collection. Fine condition copy.