1851
ink
paper
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
Porte d'un ancien couvent, Rue Mirabeau, à Bourges (Doorway of an Ancient Convent, in the Rue Mirabeau, Bourges) is a 1851 ink by Charles Meryon, a Impressionism work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This sketch shows a tall, narrow doorway set into a stone building. The arch above it is detailed with carvings, and the walls have small, evenly spaced windows. The ground outside is uneven, with a few scattered stones and a small dog lying near the bottom left. The artist used sharp lines to highlight textures like the rough stone and smooth door. This style was common in 1850s France for capturing real city scenes. Next, check out etching to see how artists like Meryon made precise 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.
See the richer artist page
