Artwork
Etchings of Paris: The Apsis of the Cathedral of Notre Dame
Etchings of Paris: The Apsis of the Cathedral of Notre Dame is a print by the Impressionist artist Charles Meryon. It dates from 1854 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
About this work
This black-and-white sketch shows a busy river scene with a large, detailed cathedral in the background.
This black-and-white sketch shows a busy river scene with a large, detailed cathedral in the background. In the foreground, people and horses pull carts across a bridge, while boats float on the water. The cathedral has two tall towers and lots of pointed arches, looking old and grand.
The artist focused on the textures—rough water, smooth stone, and the sharp lines of the bridge. This was made in 1854, when Paris was changing fast.
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Overview
Created in 1854, this black‑and‑white etching by Charles Meryon captures the apse of Notre‑Dame Cathedral as seen from the Seine. The composition combines the cathedral’s soaring Gothic arches with a bustling riverside scene, where carts, horses, and boats animate the foreground.
Subject & Meaning
The image presents the cathedral’s eastern interior space framed by its exterior façade, emphasizing the interplay between sacred architecture and everyday Parisian life. Meryon’s treatment highlights the solemnity of the structure while situating it within the dynamic flow of the city’s river traffic.
Technique & Style
Executed entirely in etching, the work relies on stark contrasts of line and tone to render textures: the rippling water, the smooth stone of the cathedral, and the crisp geometry of the bridge. Meryon’s limited palette reflects his colour‑blindness, directing focus to atmospheric depth and architectural detail.
History & Provenance
Meryon, a leading French etcher of the nineteenth century, produced this piece during a period of rapid urban transformation in Paris. The print has remained within public collections, illustrating his reputation as the foremost French etcher of his era.
Context
The etching was made at a time when Paris was undergoing extensive modernization under Baron Haussmann. Meryon’s Gothic‑focused vision offers a counterpoint to contemporary urban reforms, preserving the medieval character of Notre‑Dame amid the city’s evolving landscape.
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.
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