Who painted Seated Male Figure for "San Francisco"?

Seated Male Figure for "San Francisco" was painted by Charles Meryon in 1856.

Where can I see Seated Male Figure for "San Francisco"?

Seated Male Figure for "San Francisco" is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Seated Male Figure for "San Francisco"?

Seated Male Figure for "San Francisco" is associated with Impressionism.

Artwork

Seated Male Figure for "San Francisco"

Charles Meryon , 1856

Seated Male Figure for "San Francisco" is a graphite drawing by the Impressionist artist Charles Meryon. It dates from 1856 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Seated Male Figure for 'San Francisco' is a graphite drawing on wove paper created by Charles Meryon around 1856. Characterized by quick, loose lines and a yellowish paper tint, the work appears sketchy and unfinished, prioritizing shapes and movement over detailed rendering.

Subject & Meaning

The drawing depicts a seated male figure with arms resting on his knees, set against suggested background elements of a chair/bench and possible trees/branches. The subject's contemplative pose may reflect Meryon's tendency to imbue figures with introspective qualities.

Technique & Style

Meryon's distinctive Gothic vision influences the drawing, evident in its dramatic, expressive lines. The emphasis on capturing movement and form over detail aligns with a focus on immediate, direct representation.

History & Provenance

Created circa 1856 by Charles Meryon, a prominent yet lesser-known-in-English-speaking-regions French etcher, this drawing is part of his broader oeuvre characterized by a unique, introspective aesthetic.

Context

While Meryon is renowned in France for his etchings, his work, including this drawing, sits within the broader context of 19th-century French art, notable for its exploration of everyday life and urban themes, as seen in the Realist movement.

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.