Benjamin Fillon, after a photograph 1862

Charles Meryon created this print, "Benjamin Fillon, after a photograph," using etching techniques. The tight composition focuses our attention on Fillon’s face, framed by dense, swirling lines that form his hair and beard. Notice how Meryon uses hatching and cross-hatching to build up tonal depth, creating a stark contrast between light and shadow. This not only models Fillon's features but also imbues the portrait with a sense of psychological intensity. Meryon’s choice of etching, a medium known for its fine lines and intricate detail, emphasizes the graphic quality of the image. The lines create a network of marks that define form and texture and reveal the underlying structure of representation. Here, the semiotic interplay between the photographic source and the etched reproduction complicates the idea of realism. Meryon isn't merely copying an image; he's interpreting and transforming it through a distinct artistic language. The resulting image is a testament to the power of the etched line to convey both likeness and artistic expression, inviting continuous re-evaluation.