Marie-Désiré BOURGOIN (1839 - 1912) The Mourning of painter Ernest Meissonier Watercolor over graphite. Signed lower left. 37.5 x 54 cm Ernest Meissonier's self-portrait (now in the Musée d'Orsay, inv. no. RF. 1250) sits on the easel beside the bed, on which are his Académicien sword, his Legion of Honor Grand Cross cord and his palette. Photographic portraits of the painter complete the altar erected in his memory. This would be Elisabeth Meissonier, the artist's widow, probably in the bedroom of their private mansion on Boulevard Malesherbes.