"The most famous and successful painter of the nineteenth century" (3), Jean Meissonier, born in Lyon, represented the conservatism of the French Academy, the force defied by Impressionists who led the new modernism. At that time, which was the mid to late 19th Century, his paintings brought very high prices, and he spent lavishly on personal possessions including his home, furnishings and horses in the stables. Three times, he was awarded the Grand Medal of Honor, which was unprecendented, and in 1889, he received the Grand Cross, which was the highest honor of the Legion Honor and which in recognizing him, was the first time this award was given to an artist.

His favorite painting subject was Emperor Napole...