Artwork

View of Part of the City of Paris, Towards the Close of the 17th Century

View of Part of the City of Paris, Towards the Close of the 17th Century is a print by the Impressionist artist Charles Meryon. It dates from 1861 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art. Created in 1861, this black‑and‑white etching presents a fragment of Parisian riverbank life as seen in the late 1600s.

About this work

Overview

Created in 1861, this black‑and‑white etching presents a fragment of Parisian riverbank life as seen in the late 1600s.

Created in 1861, this black‑and‑white etching presents a fragment of Parisian riverbank life as seen in the late 1600s. The composition captures a cluster of narrow, steep‑roofed buildings, their chimneys exhaling smoke, while small boats glide along the water and figures linger on the quays. The overall mood is one of subdued activity, rendered without colour, relying on line and tone to convey atmosphere.

Subject & Meaning

The image records an everyday urban scene rather than a monumental event, emphasizing the modest architecture and the routine of river traffic. By focusing on ordinary structures and the movement of people and vessels, the work reflects a contemplative observation of the city’s historic fabric, inviting viewers to consider the layers of daily life that shape Paris’s identity.

Technique & Style

Executed entirely in etching, the piece demonstrates the artist’s meticulous attention to surface detail, from the grain of timber to the billowing folds of sailcloth. The monochrome palette, dictated by the creator’s colour‑blindness, intensifies the contrast between light and shadow, while fine hatching creates texture and depth, characteristic of mid‑19th‑century French printmaking.

History & Provenance

The print belongs to a series of Paris vistas produced by the French etcher, whose work has been acknowledged as a cornerstone of 19th‑century French print culture. Although his reputation remains modest in Anglophone circles, the series has been collected by institutions that value its documentary precision and its contribution to the development of modern urban representation.

Artist & collection

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.