Le Pont-au-Change, Paris
1854
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1854
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
Le Pont-au-Change, Paris is a 1854 ink by Charles Meryon, a Impressionism work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This sketch shows a river with a stone bridge carrying boats and people. On the far side stands a big, dark building with tall, pointed towers and lots of windows. Above, a hot-air balloon floats in the sky, while the water below ripples with small waves. The artist used fine lines to show light and shadow, making the scene look almost three-dimensional. This style was new for its time—less about smooth colors, more about sharp details. Next, check out etching to see how artists like this carved images into metal plates.
