La Pompe Notre-Dame, Paris (The Notre-Dame Pump)

Charles Meryon

National Gallery of Art

The image depicts a complex structure on wooden stilts over a river. On the left, there is a tower rising above the building complex with slanted roofs. The scene is filled with buildings extending into the distance, with no clear horizon visible. The etching features fine, detailed brushstrokes emphasizing intricate linework capturing textures of stone, wood, and water. The image has a monochromatic palette of sepia tones. Other buildings are densely packed beyond the structures on stilts, including one resembling a cathedral or significant architectural landmark. The water reflects the structures, and a few small boats with figures are visible.