Artwork
Cow and Ass
Cow and Ass is a print by the Romanticist artist Charles Meryon. It dates from 1849 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
About this work
Overview
Cow and Ass is an 1849 etching by Charles Meryon, a prominent French etcher celebrated for his Gothic-inspired depictions of Paris, achieved despite colour blindness. The work is housed in the Cleveland Museum of Art collection.
Subject & Meaning
The etching portrays a cow and her calf standing near a shallow water body, with the calf partially hidden behind the mother. The scene conveys a sense of quiet intimacy.
Technique & Style
Executed in a simple, sketchy style, the etching features thick, dark lines and textured animal fur. The sparse background, with faint ground marks and minimal wavy water lines, creates a shadow-like effect on the subjects.
History & Provenance
Created in 1849, the etching is part of the Cleveland Museum of Art's collection, reflecting Meryon's significance as 19th-century France's most notable etcher.
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Artist & collection
Artist
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.
