La Loi lunaire, 1er planche ("Lunar" Law, 1st plate)

1856

Charles Meryon

Associated Names
Charles Meryon

Artist, French, 1821 - 1868

This is a drawing of a document enclosed in a decorative border. The central focus is a handwritten text enclosed within an ornamental frame, featuring towers at each side which culminate in stylized flaming torches. At the top, there are cloud-like designs with two diagonal lines converging towards the center. At the bottom, the words "Loi Sunaire" are written above a decorative element featuring a burning flame atop a small platform with three legs, surrounded by rays. The border includes decorative details such as stars and a bird-like figure at the base. The style is characterized by intricate line work and symbolic imagery.

Media Options

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    etching on laid paper

  • Credit Line

    Rosenwald Collection

  • Dimensions

    plate: 13.6 × 22.8 cm (5 3/8 × 9 in.)
    sheet (irreg.): 19.1 × 26 cm (7 1/2 × 10 1/4 in.)

  • Accession Number

    1943.3.6180

  • Catalogue Raisonné

    Schneiderman 1990, no. 60, State iii/iii

Artwork history & notes

Provenance

Lessing J. Rosenwald [1891-1979], Jenkintown, PA; gift to NGA, 1943.

Associated Names

Bibliography

1924

  • Delteil, Loys and Harold J.L. Wright. Catalogue raisonne of the Etchings of Charles Meryon. New York: Winfred Porter Truesdell, 1924.

1990

  • Schneiderman, Richard S. The Catalogue Raisonne of the Prints by Charles Meryon. London: Garton & Co., 1990.

Inscriptions

"C. Meryon fit. Paris M.D.C.C.C.L.V.I." lower left composition, in plate, artist's hand. "Imp. T. F St Jacques No81." lower right composition, in plate, artist's hand. "Loi Lunaire" lower center composition, in plate, artist's hand. "Si j'étais...s'appellerait" center composition, in plate, artist's hand. "LD 91 II ([illeg.] III) lower center margin, graphite, unknown hand. "B.1024" lower right margin, graphite, unknown hand. "34" lower right margin, graphite, unknown hand. Verso: none.

Markings

"LRJ" verso, black stamped ink, stamped three times, (Lugt 1760b). "National Gallery of Art" verso, black stamped ink, (Lugt 1932d).

Watermarks

None.

Wikidata ID

Q65019225

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