Jean-Louis-Ernest Meissonier, 1815 Lyon – 1891 Paris

CHEVAL AU TROT Height: 39.4 cm. Plinth 63 x 20.5 cm. Signed "Meissonier" on the base plate, with foundry stamp "Siot Decauville Paris" and numbered "4". Large bronze sculpture of a horse trotting on a rectangular plinth. The bronze is one of a series of other horse figures by the artist, such as "Cheval blessée" and "Cheval au galop". Meissonier, who was primarily known as a painter, also excelled in sculpture, especially the motif of the horse. He had set up a track on his property specifically to study the horse's movements. This also benefited his paintings, which include several equestrian scenes, particularly in connection with the Napoleonic era. His sculpture of a rider with a billowing coat in a storm (1880/85) also became famous. Meissonier was one of the most famous artists in France in the mid-19th century. His works show his interest in history, both in the Baroque period and that of Napoleon, as well as the political events of his own time. From the 1870s onwards, Meissonier was represented by the Galerie Georges Petit; after his death, the Hébrard Gallery took over the representation of his sculptures in the 1920s. The present sculpture is one of the nine models that were only commissioned for casting posthumously by the family of the artist's widow. Another example of the series, numbered "1", in the Bordeaux Art Museum. Pupil of L. Conniet. Pictures by his hand in public museums in Antwerp, Bordeau, Boston, Brussels, Chicago, New York etc. A.R. (1401588) (10) Jean Louis Ernest Meissonier, 1815 Lyon - 1891 Paris CHEVAL AU TROT Height: 39.4 cm. Plinth: 63 x 20.5 cm. Signed "Meissonier" on base, "Siot Decauville Paris" foundry mark and no. "4".