Artwork
Le stryge (The Vampire)
Le stryge (The Vampire) is an ink print by the Impressionist artist Charles Meryon. It dates from 1853 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Le stryge (The Vampire) is an etching on Japanese laid paper created by Charles Meryon in 1853. The print showcases Meryon's unique blend of realism and fantasy in depicting urban landscapes.
Subject & Meaning
The etching features a giant, shadowy hand grasping a detailed cityscape, with birds flying around its fingers. The title 'The Vampire' suggests a dark or eerie interpretation, but the work primarily highlights Meryon's imaginative reworking of urban scenes.
Technique & Style
Meryon's use of etching allowed for precise and layered lines, characteristic of his distinctive style. The scratchy, detailed quality of the print is typical of etching techniques, which enable artists to achieve deep, textured images.
History & Provenance
Charles Meryon was a French etcher who worked primarily in etching due to colour blindness. His artistic vision was influenced by personal experiences, including mental illness, and his mother's background as a dancer at the Paris Opera.
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.
