The Portrait of a Sergeant 1874

Ernest Meissonier painted this portrait of a sergeant with oil on canvas, sometime in the 19th century. The oil paint has allowed Meissonier to capture the details of the scene with great precision. Look closely and notice the various textures and surfaces, from the smooth brick wall to the rough stone pavement. The attention to detail is especially evident in the rendering of the soldiers' uniforms. Notice the buttons and trim, all meticulously depicted with fine brushwork and glazing techniques. The painting reminds us of the labor involved in both its creation, and in the military profession it depicts. Consider the hours of work, and the labor of the many people involved in producing the scene. The soldiers’ uniforms, the brick wall behind them, the sergeant’s sword – all objects of careful making in their own right. By focusing on the materiality and the social context of "The Portrait of a Sergeant," we can see how Meissonier blurred the lines between fine art and craft.