MERYON, Charles 1821–1868

Childhood spent in Paris: attended naval school in Brest and took some drawing lessons in Toulon during his naval service. Sailed for New Zealand 1842 on Le Rhin with Capt. Berard who had already visited New Zealand with Dumont D'Urville. The corvette was stationed at Akaroa to protect the interest of the French settlement, but he made several cruises. In 1846 returned to France and left the sea. Because of colour blindness he chose to study etching under Eugene Blery rather than painting, and from 1863–66 worked on etchings made on the spot for a projected Album de Souvenirs du Voyage du Rhin but it was not finished before his death at Charenton. Work included in Centennial Ex Wtn 1940. Represented: NAG Hocken, McDougall, Turnbull, ACAG and Aigamighe, Timaru.