Le Ministere de la Marine

Charles Meryon 1821 - 1868

Summary

The scene shows a town square with an imposing building on the left that has corinthian columns and heavy rustication at the base of the building. Set back on the right and across the square other classical buildings can be seen as well as a tall obelisk. However, this town scene becomes surreal due to the presence of the figures in the sky on the right-hand side. These figures are flying on fish and other lizard-like hybrids and many of them are equipped with spears. Moving from the right-hand side these flying figures appear to be descending towards the town square. On the ground, in the square, there are crowds of cavalry soldiers who also have raised weapons and are looking up at the flying figures.