1860
graphite
paper
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
Ancienne habitation à Bourges, dite "La Maison du Musicien" (An Old House at Bourges, Sometimes Called the "Musician's House") is a 1860 graphite by Charles Meryon, a Impressionism work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This sketch shows a narrow street lined with old wooden buildings. The structures have steep, tiled roofs and exposed beams, giving them a half-timbered look. A horse-drawn cart sits parked near a shop with large windows, and two people stand talking in the street. The drawing is mostly in black and white, with fine lines capturing details like the cobblestones and the texture of the walls. The artist focused on everyday life in a quiet neighborhood, using sharp lines to show depth. This style was common in mid-1800s France, where artists aimed to depict real scenes, not idealized ones. Next, check out etching to see how artists like this one used acid and ink to create detailed prints.
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.
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