On a Terrace1867 · Study 1986.68

Context from the museum

Trained as a printmaker and book illustrator, Meissonier specialized in small paintings depicting scenes from French history and literature. This painting on wood panel depicts a man dressed like a character from The Three Musketeers (published in 1844) by Alexandre Dumas père. Such paintings, admired for their technical virtuosity and romantic subjects, were immensely popular. Meissonier also painted contemporary military subjects and themes and became an arch-foe of the Realist painter Gustave Courbet.

Museum description reproduced from its CC0 open-access record. Read the original catalog entry.

A detail to notice

Meissionier was known for his masterful draftsmanship and scrupulous attention to detail. He amassed a "work library" of accessories from local costume markets to ensure that the subjects in his paintings were authenticity attired.

Observation supplied by the Cleveland Museum of Art.

Read the dimensions before the image

The selected unframed measurement for On a Terrace is 20 cm wide and 30.2 cm high, equivalent to approximately 7.9 × 11.9 inches. Dividing width by height gives a format ratio of 0.66:1. The rectangular bounding area is 0.06 square meters; it describes the measured footprint, not the amount of paint or the monetary value.

On an illustrative 300 cm wall, the recorded width occupies 6.7% of the span before adding a frame. A centered placement leaves approximately 140.0 cm on each side before adding a frame. These are calculations by Physical Art For Crypto using museum measurements. They are not the museum’s display recommendations.

Questions to bring to your own collection

With On a Terrace in view, identify one feature you can point to, then distinguish what the museum records from your personal response. Keep its medium, oil on wood panel, in your notes when comparing contemporary works.

• Which part of this vertical composition catches your eye first?
• Would a 20 cm width still suit the space after allowing for furniture and a frame?
• What surface detail would you need to see in person or in a close photograph?