The Clock Tower
Meryon was the first nineteenth-century French etcher to make the Parisian cityscape his primary focus. This is one of several preparatory drawings that he made for an etching of the same title, as part of his suite of twenty-two prints entitled "Eaux-fortes sur Paris" (Etchings on Paris). With a precise graphite line, Meryon recorded the main architectural features of the Palais de Justice with its clock tower as well as the Conciergerie behind; both buildings are part of the complex of law courts at the center of Paris. He omitted anecdotal details, but the inscription at the top of the sheet describes the barge that later appeared in the etching.
Artwork Details
- Title: The Clock Tower
- Artist: Charles Meryon (French, 1821–1868)
- Date: ca. 1852
- Medium: Graphite with red chalk on laid paper (a narrow strip added at right)
- Dimensions: 14 1/2 x 10 3/8 in. (36.8 x 26.4 cm)
- Classification: Drawings
- Credit Line: Rogers Fund, 1919
- Object Number: 19.41
- Curatorial Department: Drawings and Prints
More Artwork
A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Charles Meryon
1852
Charles Meryon
19th century
Charles Meryon
1862
Charles Meryon
1853
Charles Meryon
1860
Research Resources
The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.
To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.
Feedback
We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.