Charles Meryon (Paris, 1821 - 1868, Charenton-le-Pont)
Le Stryge (The Vampire), 1853
Etching on wove paper, 19.7 x 15.2 cm (7 3/4 x 6 in.)
This etching on off-white paper has an image of a statue of a horned and winged humanoid figure prominently depicted to our right. This statue is depicted from the waist up. He is seen in profile looking to our left. His chiseled features portray large, deep-set eyes, a large nose, large ears and his tongue sticking out of his mouth. He is seated holding his head in his long-fingered hands with his elbows resting on the ledge of a building. He has plain horns that protrude at the top of his head, wings and a decorative band across his forehead. He is nude except for a dark scalloped collar about his neck. The ledge has a curved support that is decorated with a floral carving. The remainder of this picture details buildings with a tall columned tower in the center rear. There are several black birds flying in the foreground and about the tower. A cloud filled sky is visible in the distance.
Short Gallery
Commentary
Isabella Stewart Gardner kept meticulous records of many of her acquisitions. In keeping with this legacy, object information is continually being reviewed, updated, and enriched in order to give greater access to the collection.