Portrait of Charles Meryon

Charles Meryon (1821–1868) was a prolific draughtsman and etcher, but also a very troubled individual. Beset throughout his life with delusions and paranoia, he was nevertheless recognized by critics such as Charles Baudelaire (1821–1867) for his great talent. Another celebrated etcher, Félix Bracquemond, completed this portrait of his friend roughly five years before Meryon’s first confinement to an insane asylum. Something of the mental intensity of the sitter comes through in Bracquemond’s rendition of Meryon, whose dark eyes and unkempt hair give him a wild appearance. The sketchiness of this portrait suggests the familiarity of the two artists.