House with a Turret, No 22, rue de l'Ecole de Médecine, Paris (called the Turret of Marat) 1861

Curator: This etching is titled "House with a Turret, No 22, rue de l'Ecole de Médecine, Paris," also known as "The Turret of Marat," created by Charles Meryon in 1861. It’s held here at The Art Institute of Chicago. What are your initial thoughts? Editor: Well, the immediate impact is one of somber density. The dark hatching and cross-hatching create a very weighted atmosphere; it almost feels claustrophobic, even with the open sky above. There’s an oppressive feel to the architecture. Curator: That darkness certainly reflects Meryon's personal state; he struggled with mental illness. However, it's also worth noting that this particular building carried significant cultural weight. Editor: Ah, hence the alternative title, “The Turret of Marat." That gives the image a whole new layer. Curator: Exactly. This location was linked to the French Revolution. Marat, a key figure, was assassinated nearby, making the building a site of revolutionary memory. Editor: That symbolism explains why Meryon has chosen to focus so intently on the structure itself. It isn't simply architectural documentation; the formal elements work to embody historical gravity. Look at how the perspective exaggerates the turret’s height and the density of detail around it; he is turning stone into symbolic presence. Curator: And he manipulates reality for effect. Note how he introduces subtle distortions – exaggerating heights and crowding perspectives – these alterations amplify an underlying unease. Even the birds seem to underscore this tension. They're high above but appear caught in some atmospheric weight, their flight lines feel oddly angled. Editor: A masterful demonstration of how an artist can transform the visual characteristics of a structure into a profound and enduring expression. Curator: Indeed. Through intense details, dramatic perspective, and symbolic associations, the artist elevates a mere building into an emotional focal point of both personal struggle and collective historical memory. Editor: A potent combination, providing this street corner in Paris with significant lingering power, almost haunting in its visual intensity.