Artwork
Tourelle, Rue de l'École de Médecine, 22, Paris
Tourelle, Rue de l'École de Médecine, 22, Paris is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Charles Meryon. It dates from 1861 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Tourelle, Rue de l'École de Médecine, 22, Paris is an 1861 etching and drypoint print by Charles Meryon, depicting a turreted building on a narrow Parisian street.
Subject & Meaning
The print captures a moment of everyday life in 19th-century Paris, focusing on the Gothic architectural details of a specific building amidst the bustling street scene.
Technique & Style
Meryon employed fine lines and meticulous detail to convey the texture of rough stone walls, small windows, and shadows, characteristic of his atmospheric and detailed etching style.
History & Provenance
Created in 1861, this work is part of Meryon's series of Parisian views, notable for their Gothic interpretation of the city, despite the artist's colour blindness which led to a primary focus on etching.
Context
This print reflects the 19th-century artistic practice of capturing urban life through precise, detailed renderings, often achieved through etching techniques.
Legacy
As a leading 19th-century French etcher, Meryon's works, including this piece, are valued for their historical and architectural documentation of Paris, influencing subsequent depictions of the city.
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.
Tourelle, Rue de l'École de Médecine, 22, Paris (House with a Turret, No. 22, Street of the School of Medecine, Paris)
House with a Turret, No. 22, rue de L'Ecole de Médecine, Paris, (called the Turret of Marat)
House with a Turret, No. 22 Street of the School of Medicine
Etchings of Paris: Tourelle, rue de l'Ecole de Médicine
Eaux-Fortes sur le Vieux Paris: Ancienne école de médecine rue de la Bûcherie (Etchings of Old Paris: Former Medical School, rue de la Bucherie)
L'ancienne academie de medecine