Le malingre cryptogame (The Sickly Cryptogam) 1860

"Le malingre cryptogame" (The Sickly Cryptogam) is a haunting etching by Charles Meryon, a prominent figure in the Realist movement. Created in 1860, it features a solitary, deformed plant rendered in stark black and white, reminiscent of the artist's fascination with the decaying beauty of Paris. Meryon's meticulous detail and use of light and shadow create a sense of melancholy and evoke the fragility of life. This work exemplifies his exploration of the darker side of urban landscapes, contrasting with the idealized views of the time.