Artwork
René Laudonnière Sablais (De Burdigale)
René Laudonnière Sablais (De Burdigale) is an ink print by the Impressionist artist Charles Meryon. It dates from 1861 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
- Inscription
- Inscribed:(Charles Meryon's monogram) lower center composition, in plate, artist's hand. "Meryon-" lower right margin, graphite, artist's hand. "MDCCCLXI" lower center composition, in plate. "RENE DE BURDIGALE SR DE LAUDONNAIRE SABLAIS" center composition, in plate. "SI DIEV ME GARDE / IIRAY A FIN" lower center composition, in plate. "daprès Crispin de Pas" lower left margin, in plate. [Latin inscription] lower center composition, in plate. "A. Beillet Imp Quai de la Tournelle, 35, Paris." lower right margin, in plate. "EE2537" lower right margin, graphite, unknown hand. "W80" upper right margin, graphite, unknown hand. Verso: none.
- 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
René Laudonnière Sablais (De Burdigale) is a print created by Charles Meryon in 1861 using etching, drypoint, and engraving on laid paper. It is a portrait of a historical figure, surrounded by a decorative circular border with text.
Subject & Meaning
The print depicts René Laudonnière, a French explorer involved in early colonial efforts in North America. The portrait is detailed, with the subject wearing a dark jacket and white shirt, and is set against a light background with foliage.
Technique & Style
Meryon employed etching, drypoint, and engraving to create the portrait, leveraging techniques that allowed for fine lines and shading. The use of these methods contributed to the work's atmospheric interpretation of the subject.
History & Provenance
Charles Meryon, a significant French etcher of the 19th century, created this work. Despite being largely unrecognized in the English-speaking world during his time, Meryon is now regarded as a major figure in French etching.
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.
