Artwork
Bain-froid chevrier, dit "de l'École" (Chevrier's Cold-Bath Establishment, Sometimes called the "School-Baths")
Bain-froid chevrier, dit "de l'École" (Chevrier's Cold-Bath Establishment, Sometimes called the "School-Baths") is an ink print by the Impressionist artist Charles Meryon. It dates from 1864 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
- Inscription
- Inscribed:Not signed. Not dated. "Bain Froid / Chevrier" center right composition, in plate, artist's hand. "Bain Froid Chevrier" lower left margin, graphite, unknown hand. "L.D. 44 IV" lower left margin, graphite, unknown hand. "(From the Heywood +Macgeorge collections)" lower right margin, graphite, unknown hand. "c.1156" lower right margin, graphite, unknown hand. "c.1156/k.326" verso, lower left sheet, graphite, unknown hand. "35" verso, lower center sheet, graphite, unknown hand.
- Markings
- Marked:"LRJ" verso, black stamped ink, stamped twice, (Lugt 1760b). "National Gallery of Art" verso, black stamped ink, (Lugt 1932d).
About this work
Overview
Bain-froid chevrier, dit "de l'École" is an 1864 etching on laid paper by French artist Charles Meryon, characterized by its serene and detailed depiction of a riverside scene with architectural elements and figures.
Subject & Meaning
Contrary to its title suggesting a 'cold-bath establishment', the etching primarily portrays a peaceful riverscape with a bridge, buildings, and distant figures, inviting interpretation beyond its nominal subject.
Technique & Style
Meryon's etching showcases meticulous, realistic rendering with intricate lines, textures, and effective shading, contributing to a sense of depth and atmospheric mood, typical of his Gothic-infused vision of Parisian landscapes.
History & Provenance
Created in 1864 by Charles Meryon, an etcher known for his Parisian scenes despite being colour blind. Meryon's life was marked by later mental health struggles, culminating in his death in an asylum.
Context
While the title references a specific type of establishment, the work aligns more broadly with 19th-century explorations of everyday urban life and landscapes, sharing thematic ground with other artists of the time.
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.
