Coat-of-arms Symbolizing the City of Paris; Bookplate of Bella C. Landauer 

Charles Meryon created this bookplate of Bella C. Landauer using etching techniques. The print is made from a metal plate, likely copper or zinc. Meryon would have covered the plate with a waxy, acid-resistant ground, then drawn the design with a sharp needle to expose the metal. Immersing the plate in acid would bite away at the exposed lines, creating grooves. The deeper the bite, the darker the line in the final print. The intricate details, from the fleur-de-lis to the ship, demanded considerable skill. Notice the density of fine lines suggesting shadow and form, especially on the ship. This labor-intensive process, which combines technical knowledge and artistic talent, elevates a functional object, the bookplate, into a work of art. By emphasizing process and labor, Meryon invites us to see beyond the image and appreciate the tradition from which it emerged.