Impression of the Plate on Meryon's Tombstone 1868

Félix Bracquemond made this print titled "Impression of the Plate on Meryon's Tombstone" using etching in France. The print commemorates the etcher Charles Meryon, featuring symbols like a skull and etching tools that reference mortality and his profession. Meryon was known for his detailed prints of Paris, a city undergoing massive transformation in the 19th century, reflecting both its grandeur and social anxieties. Bracquemond, part of a circle that sought to elevate etching to the level of painting, engages here in a social act, honoring a colleague and reflecting on the artistic community. The imagery, including Meryon's monogram and the ship, a reference to his naval background, blend personal history with broader cultural themes of memory and legacy. The institutional context of art, particularly the rise of printmaking as a respected medium, is central to understanding this work. Historians studying this piece might delve into letters between artists, exhibition reviews, and records from printmaking societies to understand the artistic and social networks of the time. This print reminds us that art is deeply embedded in its social and institutional context.