Artwork
Cow and Ass
Cow and Ass is a print by the Romanticist artist Charles Meryon. It dates from 1849 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
- Accession no.
- 1954.866
- Credit line
- The Milton Curtiss Rose Collection in memory of Evelyn Curtiss Rose
About this work
Overview
Cow and Ass is an 1849 etching by Charles Meryon, a prominent French etcher celebrated for his Gothic-inspired depictions of Paris, achieved despite colour blindness. The work is housed in the Cleveland Museum of Art collection.
Subject & Meaning
The etching portrays a cow and her calf standing near a shallow water body, with the calf partially hidden behind the mother. The scene conveys a sense of quiet intimacy.
Technique & Style
Executed in a simple, sketchy style, the etching features thick, dark lines and textured animal fur. The sparse background, with faint ground marks and minimal wavy water lines, creates a shadow-like effect on the subjects.
History & Provenance
Created in 1849, the etching is part of the Cleveland Museum of Art's collection, reflecting Meryon's significance as 19th-century France's most notable etcher.
Own this work as a print
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.
