Diagrammatic sketch of building n.d.

Charles Meryon created this diagrammatic sketch of a building on paper sometime in the 19th century. Meryon was a French artist, known for his etchings of Parisian cityscapes. Although this sketch is spare in detail, it offers us a glimpse into the institutional and cultural backdrop against which Meryon worked. In 19th-century France, the rise of urbanism and the development of modern architectural styles were reshaping the urban environment. Sketches like these were crucial to the planning and construction of new buildings and urban spaces. What makes this image a work of art, rather than a technical drawing? As historians, we might look to archival sources like letters, exhibition reviews, and institutional records to better understand Meryon’s intentions and the social context in which he worked. Ultimately, understanding the meaning of a work like this depends on understanding the social and institutional forces that shaped its creation and reception.