Study for San Francisco 1855 - 1856

Charles Meryon created this preparatory drawing for San Francisco using graphite on thin paper. The use of graphite, a relatively common material, speaks to the practical nature of this study. The delicate lines suggest a tentative exploration of form, with numerous erasures and adjustments visible. Meryon’s engagement with the paper is evident in the subtle impressions left by the graphite, each mark revealing the artist's thought process. This work captures the preliminary stages of a larger project, emphasizing process over the finished product. The seemingly ephemeral quality of the medium contrasts with the labor-intensive printmaking process Meryon employed in his finished works. The drawing acts as a crucial step in realizing a complex composition; each line, each revision, contributes to the final image. By focusing on this study, we appreciate the labor and decisions behind the art, challenging conventional views of artistic creation.