<A new watercolor by Marie-Désiré Bourgoin acquired by Orsay — Art News
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A new watercolor by Marie-Désiré Bourgoin acquired by Orsay

Une nouvelle aquarelle de Marie-Désiré Bourgoin acquise par Orsay

The Musée d’Orsay has expanded its collection with the acquisition of a watercolor by Marie-Désiré Bourgoin. The work depicts a somber interior scene featuring an elderly woman in black seated before a commemorative display of the late painter Ernest Meissonier’s personal effects, including his Academician's sword, Legion of Honor insignia, and his final self-portrait on an easel.

This acquisition is significant for its historical and iconographic value, capturing the domestic and memorial atmosphere surrounding one of the 19th century's most celebrated French artists. By securing this piece, the Musée d’Orsay strengthens its holdings related to Meissonier’s legacy and highlights the work of Bourgoin, a noted chronicler of artist interiors and private scholarly life.