Study for an arch of Pont Notre-Dame, Paris 1853

Charles Meryon created this sketch, "Study for an arch of Pont Notre-Dame, Paris," using graphite on paper. At first glance, the faint lines and open spaces give a sense of ethereal lightness to the scene. The composition is anchored by the arches of the bridge, which curve across the paper with a delicate yet firm structure. Meryon’s choice to leave much of the paper untouched focuses our attention on the skeletal forms of the architecture and boats. This minimalist approach invites us to consider the underlying structure of the urban landscape and the transient nature of life within it. The sketch employs a semiotic language where empty spaces speak as loudly as the drawn lines. Consider how the linear precision of the bridge contrasts with the more freely sketched boats, perhaps symbolizing the tension between the permanent and the ephemeral. Meryon’s study reveals a world seen through a structuralist lens. It emphasizes the essential forms that shape our perception and experience of the city.