Life and Work of a Neoclassical History Painter

Description

MAYER-MICHALON (Isabelle) [Preface by Jean-Pierre Cuzin]. Monograph on Charles Meynier (1763-1832). Arthena, Deauville, 2008. Publisher's binding in full gray cloth cardboard under illustrated dust jacket. In-4° format (33 x 25 cm), 448 pages with 520 illustrations including 103 in color. A faithful student of François-André Vincent, Meynier pursued an official career beginning with the Prix de Rome in 1789, continuing under the Empire and Restoration through Salon submissions and state commissions. He simultaneously worked for major private collectors: Boyer-Fonfrède, Lucien Bonaparte, Marshal Berthier, and Count von Schönborn. As a history painter and masterful draftsman, Meynier created subjects drawn from classical sources, depicting rarely illustrated episodes. His drawings demonstrate profound erudition, deep study of Antiquity, and remarkable literary knowledge, evidenced by his substantial library and print collection. Fine copy.