1865
oil
panel
From the collection of Walters Art Museum
Dominant colour
The Jovial Trooper is a 1865 oil by Jean Louis Ernest Meissonier, held at Walters Art Museum.
In the painting, a man sits in a chair, leaning back with his right leg crossed over his left. He wears a hat, a loose-fitting shirt with billowy sleeves, and loose pants tucked into his boots. His right arm rests on the back of the chair, and his left arm hangs down beside him. The man's face is relaxed, with a hint of a smile. The room behind him is dark, with only a sliver of light illuminating the wall to his left. The overall atmosphere is one of quiet contemplation, as if the man is lost in thought. The artist's use of chiaroscuro creates a sense of depth and dimensionality, drawing the viewer's eye into the scene. The Jovial Trooper is a beautiful example of Jean Louis Ernest Meissonier's work, showcasing his skill with oil paint and his ability to capture the subtleties of human emotion.
Jean-Louis-Ernest Meissonier was a French academic painter and sculptor. He became famous for his depictions of Napoleon and his military sieges and manoeuvres in paintings acclaimed both for the artist's mastery of…
See the richer artist page
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