Artwork

Armes symboliques de la ville de Paris (Symbolical Arms of the City of Paris)

Armes symboliques de la ville de Paris (Symbolical Arms of the City of Paris) is an ink print by the Impressionist artist Charles Meryon. It dates from 1854 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Armes symboliques de la ville de Paris is an 1854 etching on laid paper by Charles Meryon, a prominent French etcher celebrated for his Gothic-inspired depictions of Paris.

Subject & Meaning

The print features a shield-shaped coat of arms combining symbols of Paris: a three-towered castle (signifying its fortified history) and a ship on waves (emphasizing its role as a trading hub), framed by leafy branches and a ribbon.

Technique & Style

Meryon utilized etching to create intricate textures, such as the castle's stonework and the waves, characteristic of his detailed and uniquely visionary style, which was partly necessitated by his colour blindness.

History & Provenance

Created in 1854, this etching is part of Meryon's series of Parisian views, solidifying his reputation as 19th-century France's most significant etcher.

Context

Part of a broader series capturing Meryon's distinctive Gothic perspective on Paris, this work reflects his ability to distill the city's essence into symbolic, detailed etchings.

Legacy

As a key work by Meryon, *Armes symboliques* contributes to his legacy as a master etcher, influencing the representation of Paris in art and cementing his status in French 19th-century art history.

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.