Charles Meryon

French printmaker, 1821–1868, of English parentage

BiographyMeyron was born in Paris. He worked almost entirely in etching as he was color-blind. He is considered one of if not the most significant etcher of 19th century France. He is best known for a series of views of Paris published as "Eaux-fortes sur Paris". He joined the navy as a young man and while at sea made a large number of coastal drawings which were later worked up into etchings. After leaving the navy he studied briefly with the engraver Eugene Biery. His early years as an engraver were financially stretched, and he was often relegated to journeyman’s work. It was the Paris series, executed from 1850-1854 which made his reputation, although this was only among connoisseurs of the craft. He suffered from disappointment, depression and poverty and was placed in an asylum at Charenton. Although he was released once, briefly, he returned and would, eventually, die there.

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