Artist: Charles Méryon (French, 1821–1868).
Printer: Pierron.
Title: Collège Henri IV ou Lycée Napoléon (Grand et petit collèges, avec les jardins qui en dépendent et les constructions avoisinantes. Prise du sommet du Panthéon).
Inscriptions:Top center vignette: A classical Latin inscription in a central cartouche between two circular medallions inscribed "HENRI IV" and "NAPOLÉON": "NON GENUS AUT AETAS SED AMOR COMMUNIS HONESTI CONCORDES ANIMAS AETERNO FOEDERE JUNGIT". Bottom left: "Paris. ROCHOUX Quai de l’Horloge, 19". Bottom left (above publisher): "Imp. Pierron r. Montfaucon 1.". Bottom center: "VUE À VOL D'OISEAU / COLLÈGE HENRI IV OU LYCÈE NAPOLÉON / GRAND ET PETIT COLLÈGES, Avec les jardins qui en dépendent et les constructions avoisinantes / PRISE DU SOMMET DU PANTHÉON / PARIS MDCCCLXIV". Bottom right (within image matrix): Signed and dated on the plate "1863-64".
Dimensions: Image: 8 5/8" x 16 3/8". Sheet 15" x 22".
Publisher: Rochoux (Paris).
Edition: 5th state (of 11).
Date: 1863–1864.
Materials and Techniques: Etching on laid paper.
Watermark: HALLINES (Dambricourt Frères).
Provenance: The Estate of George "Yorgo" Demetrakopoulos; professor, assistant director of the Medieval Institute, and assistant to the dean at Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, Michigan, from 1965–2000.
Condition: fair, with signs of aging appropriate for its era. Features a prominent moisture stain (tide mark) along the left and bottom areas which extends onto the printed image matrix and the verso. Despite this, the historic paper fibers remain stable and strong, and the sheet is an excellent candidate for professional conservation/restoration.
Catalog Raisonné: Delteil 43 (v/xi); Wright 43 (v/xi); Schneiderman 91 (v/xi).
Museums, Libraries and Auctions: The Metropolitan Museum of Art (New York), British Museum (London) 1870,0709.190, National Gallery of Art (Washington).
Art Movements, Periods and Schools: French School XIX C.
Note: This impressive aerial panorama displays Méryon’s meticulous topographical accuracy combined with surreal, allegorical staffage figures in the foreground. The choice of premium Hallines laid paper is typical for the early, high-quality impressions curated by the artist and his publisher.
Acknowledgement: This entry incorporates text from online sources and the catalog entry of a similar item in the British Museum collection.