Allegory of the Siege of Paris 

Ernest Meissonier’s “Allegory of the Siege of Paris” depicts a dramatic scene of war. The painting’s central focus is a group of French soldiers defending their flag amidst a battlefield strewn with dead soldiers. An angel-like figure hovers above, a symbol of divine intervention, and the French tricolor billows in the wind, representing the nation’s resilience. This powerful image evokes the intensity of the Siege of Paris during the Franco-Prussian War and highlights the bravery of the French soldiers. Meissonier, a renowned artist known for his meticulous detail and historical accuracy, captures the raw emotion and chaos of war in this captivating painting.