Artwork

Casimir Le Conte

Casimir Le Conte, by Charles Meryon, 1856
Casimir Le Conte, by Charles Meryon, 1856

Casimir Le Conte is a print by the Impressionist artist Charles Meryon. It dates from 1856 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

Casimir Le Conte is a print created by Charles Meryon in 1856. It is a portrait of an older man, depicted in a seated position.

Subject & Meaning

The subject holds a top hat in one hand, wearing a buttoned coat and cravat. The portrait's focus is on capturing the likeness of Casimir Le Conte, with an emphasis on conveying a sense of character.

Technique & Style

The print is characterized by loose, quick lines, resulting in a rough, sketchy appearance. Meryon's style is marked by a lack of attention to fine detail, with the subject's face and clothing rendered in a few economical strokes.

Context

This style of rapid, observational drawing was common in the 19th century, reflecting the artistic values of the time.

Artist & collection

Portrait of Charles Meryon

Artist

Charles Meryon

Charles Meryon (sometimes Méryon, 23 November 1821 – 14 February 1868) was a French artist who worked almost entirely in etching, as he had colour blindness.

This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: Cleveland Museum of Art open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.