St. Etienne-du-Mont, Paris, from Etchings of Paris

Charles Meryon is one of the seminal figures in the history of etching. His talents and inventiveness are often compared with those of Rembrandt and Whistler (see etchings by both in this exhibition). His master series Eaux-fortes sur Paris (Etchings of Paris) ranks among the most important landmarks in French printmaking history. It stands in retrospect as an important testament to the medieval character of Paris that Meryon so loved, even as many of its oldest buildings and streets were being demolished during the modernization of the city by Baron Haussmann in the mid-19th century.

In this print, the Renaissance façade of the Church of Saint-Étienne-du-Mont is seen at the center, struck by strong sunlight. On the left is part of the Collège de Montaigu (now destroyed); a corner of the Panthéon stands at the right, with workers on scaffolding conducting repairs.