The Sickly Cryptogam 1860

"The Sickly Cryptogam" is a 1860 etching by French artist Charles Meryon. It depicts a solitary, twisted plant, a "cryptogam," which is a type of plant that reproduces through spores. The plant's twisted form and the use of hatching lines suggest a sense of decay and fragility, representing a morbid beauty found in nature. Meryon was known for his dramatic depictions of the city of Paris, often using etching as a medium to create atmospheric and evocative landscapes. This print showcases his interest in the darker, more neglected aspects of the natural world.