French painter known for his accurate portrayals of battles and military life.

Detaille studied with Ernest Meissonier (Meissonier, Ernest) and employed a technique of literal exactitude based on that of his teacher. Detaille developed a wide knowledge of military detail, which made his work an important source for the study of late-19th-century military history; e.g., in 1883 he produced, with Alphonse de Neuville, a profusely illustrated two-volume work, The French Army. His paintings of the Franco-German War (e.g., The Defense of Champigny, 1879) made him famous. His most characteristic works, however, infused with legend and sentiment, are his pictures of Napoleon I and his armies. Detaille also painted some portraits and nonmilitary subjects and was a gifted actor.