Bridge at Poissy (Pêcheurs à ligne)

Ernest Meissonier’s ‘Bridge at Poissy (Pêcheurs à ligne)’ was painted in 1881. The work is oil on board. It depicts anglers at a river bridge, a departure from his usual military subjects.

The painting measures 18.5 x 26.5 cm. The support is board rather than canvas, a choice that influences the texture and handling of the paint.

Meissonier purchased a mansion in Poissy in 1846, which included two large studios. He painted ‘Bridge at Poissy (Pêcheurs à ligne)’ in the town where he lived.

Meissonier’s fame rested on detailed depictions of Napoleon’s military campaigns. ‘Bridge at Poissy (Pêcheurs à ligne)’ reflects a quieter aspect of his environment.

Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, Ohio, https://clevelandart.org/art/2022.432