Bain Froid Chevrier – Rue de l'École
after Charles Meryon
c. Late 19th to early 20th century
Etching on paper, 5" x 6" image on 16.5" x 12.5" sheet

This intricate etching, rendered in deep linear precision, pays homage to the iconic 19th-century French printmaker Charles Meryon, celebrated for his haunting depictions of old Paris. Titled “Bain Froid Chevrier – Rue de l’École”, the scene portrays a now-vanished public bathhouse once nestled in the Latin Quarter of Paris—a rare glimpse into the city’s bygone urban texture.

Executed with reverence for Meryon's architectural intensity, this etching shows a dramatic juxtaposition of stone and water, movement and stillness. Delicate feathering in the sky contrasts with stark vertical lines of classical façades. Although unsigned, the work follows Meryon’s distinctive style of combining poetic atmosphere with documentary precision.

Some gentle rippling in the paper suggests age and adds to its vintage character. Whether produced by a devoted student or studio follower, the print serves as both a visual archive and a collectible artifact of European etching tradition.

On display at the Disco Freedom Gallery, 818 Hyde St., San Francisco.