The footbridge temporarily replacing the Pont-au-Change, Paris, after the fire of 1621, after della Bella

Art Historical Context

In the bustling heart of 17th-century Paris, catastrophic fire ravaged the Pont-au-Change in 1621, one of the city's vital Seine bridges lined with shops and homes. This etching by Charles Meryon captures a temporary footbridge hastily erected in its place, alive with boats on the river below and figures crossing above. Created in 1860, it reproduces an earlier composition by the Italian etcher Stefano della Bella, blending historical reconstruction with Meryon's own Romantic vision of Paris. Meryon, a master of 19th-century etching renowned for his haunting views of Parisian architecture, executed this as the seventh state of twelve—a progressive proof showcasing the intricate buildup of lines, tones, and details through acid-bitten copper plates. The medium's precision allows for dramatic contrasts: the delicate lattice of the wooden bridge against the shimmering water, evoking both fragility and resilience. At 4 11/16 x 9 inches, this intimate print from the Metropolitan Museum of Art's collection highlights etching's power to preserve fleeting moments of urban life. This work bridges centuries, linking della Bella's Baroque flair for lively street scenes with Meryon's pre-Impressionist obsession with light and decay, offering visitors a window into Paris's enduring transformation.

About the Artist

Charles Meryon|Stefano della Bella · 1821–1868

Charles Meryon, born on November 23, 1821, in Paris, was the illegitimate son of English physician Dr. Charles Lewis Meryon and dancer Pierre-Narcisse Chaspoux (stage name Narcisse Gentil) at the Paris Opéra. His half-sister Fanny, from his mother's prior relationship with Viscount Lowther, remained in contact after their mother's death in 1838. Raised partly outside Paris before attending Pension...