xiii, 448 p., [8] p. of plates : ill. (some col.), ports. ; 24 cm
Note
Includes bibliographical references (p. [381]-435) and index
Chez Meissonier -- Modern life -- The lure of perfection -- Mademoiselle V. -- Dreams of genius -- Youthful daring -- A baffling maze of canvas -- The Salon of Venus -- The tempest of fools -- Famous victories -- Young France -- Deliberations -- Room M -- Plein air -- A beastly slop -- The apostle of ugliness -- Maître Velázquez -- The jury of assassins -- Monet or Manet? -- A flash of swords -- Marvels, wonders and miracles -- Funeral for a friend -- Maneuvers -- A salon of newcomers -- Au bord de la mer -- Mademoiselle Berthe -- Flying gallops -- The wild boar of the Batignolles -- Vaulting ambitions -- The Prussian terror -- The last days of Paris -- A carnival of blood -- Days of hardship -- The apples of discord -- A ring of gold -- Pure Haarlem beer -- Beyond perfection -- The liberation of Paris -- Epilogue: finishing touches -- Political timeline