Etchings of Paris: The Gargoyle
1853
From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art
1853
From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art
Etchings of Paris: The Gargoyle is a 1853 by Charles Meryon, a Impressionism work, held at Cleveland Museum of Art.
This etching shows a cityscape with a tall, unfinished tower in the background and a gargoyle perched on a building’s edge in the foreground. The buildings are tightly packed, with rooftops sloping down toward a river. The gargoyle has a rough, textured face and wings spread wide, as if ready to take flight. The artist used sharp lines and deep shadows to make the city feel both detailed and slightly eerie. The tower looks like it’s under construction, with scaffolding and cranes visible. Next, look up Realism to see how artists like Meryon captured everyday scenes with precision.
