5. Charles Meryon
(1821-1868)
Greniers Indigènes et Habitations à Akaroa, Presqu’ile de Banks

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Meryon, Greniers Indigènes

Greniers Indigènes et Habitations à Akaroa, Presqu’ile de Banks

Etching, 1865, 140 x 243 mm., Delteil/Wright 70 iv/vi, ex collection : Sensier. Meryon, despite his madness, was one of the towering figures of the Etching Revival. His most famous works are the Eaux-Fortes sur Paris, but for years before his return to Paris and his taking up etching, he was a sailor. He did many drawings in the South Pacific, some of which he later worked into etchings. A superb impression before the monogram and letters and before the chicken flapping its wings was removed from the scene, on thin, laid (?) paper, possibly of oriental origin, with full margins. The scene is on the Banks Peninsula on the South Island of New Zealand. The impression is inscribed in pencil "Vente Sensier." According to Lugt, who gives no other details, Sensier's was one of the great early collections of Meryon's work. An exceedingly rare and fascinating print, particularly so in this early state.