Artwork
Armand Guéraud
Armand Guéraud is an ink print by the Impressionist artist Charles Meryon. It dates from 1862 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art. Created in 1862, this print combines etching and engraving on laid paper, employing both black and red inks.
- Inscription
- Inscribed:(Charles Meryon's monogram) lower center composition, red ink, artist's hand. "MERYON. INV. SCULP" lower left composition, in plate, artist's hand. "MERYON Imp. r Duperré 20." lower right composition, in plate, artist's hand. "PARIS / MDCCCLXII" lower center composition, in plate. Verso: none.
- Markings
- Marked:None.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1862, this print combines etching and engraving on laid paper, employing both black and red inks. The work presents a portrait of Armand Guéraud framed by an intricate assemblage of books, papers, and scientific instruments, set against a densely populated background that emphasizes the figure’s presence amid scholarly clutter.
Subject & Meaning
The central figure, shown from the chest upward, wears a dark jacket and bow tie, suggesting a formal, perhaps academic, identity. Surrounding him are objects such as a globe, compass, and drafting dividers, while an open book on a table displays the words “CODE LOIS,” hinting at a connection to legal or legislative matters.
Technique & Style
Meryon employed a dual‑plate process, using fine etching for delicate lines and engraving for sharper, more defined edges. The limited palette of black and red enhances contrast, while the layered marks generate a sense of depth and texture that renders the chaotic surroundings with a tangible realism.
History & Provenance
The print belongs to Charles Meryon’s series of urban and portrait works produced after he turned to etching because of his color blindness. It reflects his broader interest in documenting Parisian figures and interiors during the mid‑nineteenth century, though specific ownership records for this particular impression are not documented.
Context
Meryon’s oeuvre is noted for its Gothic‑tinged visions of Paris, often focusing on architecture and the city’s atmospheric qualities. This portrait aligns with his practice of embedding subjects within richly detailed environments, merging personal portraiture with the intellectual milieu of the era.
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.
Self-Portrait
Portrait of Walter Brock
Victor Hugo, 1st plate
Léon Gambetta
Self-Portrait, 3rd plate
Portrait of Paul Cézanne
Self-Portrait, 4th plate
Portrait of a Man
Manet Seated, Turned to the Left (Manet assis, tourné à gauche)
Untitled
Self-Portrait, 4th plate- Armand Gueraud of Nantes, Printer and Man of Letters