Study for "Le Petit Pont" c. 1850

Charles Meryon created this preparatory sketch for his etching "Le Petit Pont" using graphite on paper sometime in the mid-19th century. Meryon, who had a complicated relationship with his own identity due to being born out of wedlock, found solace and a means of expression in the detailed observation of urban landscapes, particularly that of Paris. In this sketch, the delicate lines capture the skeletal structure of the Petit Pont, one of the city's oldest bridges. Beyond its architectural representation, Meryon's work resonates with the socio-political atmosphere of a rapidly changing Paris. It was a time marked by urban renewal projects that displaced communities, and the artist was known to imbue his cityscapes with a sense of melancholy. Meryon once said, "I can only render what I feel." This piece encapsulates that sentiment, inviting us to consider the emotional weight of progress and the stories embedded within the city's infrastructure.