1861
ink
paper
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
Le Grand Chatelet, Paris, vers 1780 (The Grand Chatelet, Paris, about 1780) is a 1861 ink by Charles Meryon, a Impressionism work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This sketch shows a busy street scene in front of a tall, castle-like building with three round towers. The towers have pointed roofs and small windows, while the front of the building has a clock and a statue on top. Below, people gather under makeshift stalls with thatched roofs, likely selling goods or food. The artist used fine lines to capture every detail, from the texture of the buildings to the folds in people’s clothes. The scene feels lively, with groups of people standing and walking around. Next, check out the technique: etching, drypoint to see how artists create these precise, 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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