Armes symbolique de la ville de Paris - Charles Meryon

A precise 1855 etching by Charles Meryon depicting the symbolic coat of arms of Paris, framed by a laurel wreath.

Charles Meryon, a figure known for his meticulous etchings of Parisian architecture, produced this heraldic study in 1855. The work depicts the coat of arms of the city of Paris, featuring the traditional ship, or 'fluctuat nec mergitur', set against a field of fleurs-de-lis. The shield is surmounted by a mural crown, a common element in civic heraldry representing the city walls. The entire composition is framed by a laurel wreath, rendered with the precise, controlled line work characteristic of Meryon's printmaking practice.

Unlike his more expansive views of the city, such as his series 'Eaux-fortes sur Paris', this piece functions as a formal emblem. The etching demonstrates Meryon's technical discipline, particularly in the cross-hatching used to define the volume of the ship and the texture of the water. The inclusion of the date 'MDCCCLV' (1855) within the lower wreath indicates the period of its creation, a time when Meryon was deeply engaged with the historical and symbolic identity of the French capital. The presence of the name 'Bella C. Landauer' at the base suggests this specific impression was once part of the collection of the noted American ephemera collector, who donated a significant archive to the New-York Historical Society.

This print offers a glimpse into the intersection of historical symbolism and nineteenth-century print culture. Meryon's approach to the subject is disciplined, avoiding unnecessary ornamentation in favour of clarity and structural integrity. The work remains a fine example of the artist's ability to apply his graphic skills to diverse subjects, from the decaying medieval structures of Paris to the formal requirements of heraldic design. It provides a clear view of the iconography associated with the city, presented through the lens of a master etcher.