Artwork
The Etchings of Paris: The Gallery of Notre Dame
The Etchings of Paris: The Gallery of Notre Dame is a print by the Impressionist artist Charles Meryon. It dates from 1853 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
About this work
The artist focused on textures—rough wood, smooth stone, and the worn edges of the door.
This print shows a tall, narrow doorway with thick wooden panels. The door is carved into geometric shapes and swirling patterns. Light streams through a small window above, casting shadows on the stone steps inside.
The artist focused on textures—rough wood, smooth stone, and the worn edges of the door. This was made in 1853 as part of a series about Paris.
Next, look up The Cleveland Museum of Art to see more prints like this.
Overview
Charles Meryon's *The Etchings of Paris: The Gallery of Notre Dame* (1853) is a print etching that captures a nuanced, atmospheric urban scene in 19th-century Paris, with Notre Dame Cathedral at its core.
Subject & Meaning
The print focuses on a tall, narrow doorway of Notre Dame, adorned with geometric carvings and swirling patterns. The composition highlights the interplay of light and shadow, emphasizing textures of wood, stone, and worn architectural details.
Technique & Style
Executed in etching—a medium Meryon favored due to his color blindness—the work exemplifies his distinctive Gothic vision of Paris, characterized by meticulous attention to architectural texture and atmospheric depth.
History & Provenance
Created in 1853 as part of Meryon's *Etchings of Paris* series, the print is a testament to his status as 19th-century France's most significant etcher, despite the personal challenges, including mental illness, that marked his later life.
Context
Part of a broader series documenting Paris, this etching reflects Meryon's fascination with the city's architectural heritage, offering a historical glimpse into its mid-19th-century appearance.
Legacy
Housed in collections like The Cleveland Museum of Art, *The Gallery of Notre Dame* remains accessible for study and appreciation, underscoring Meryon's enduring influence on etching and the documentation of Paris' architectural history.
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.
Etchings of Paris: The Gallery of Notre Dame
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