He was initially drawn to the mezzotint process because it echoed his approach to drawing. After moving to New York in 1983, he studied printmaking at The New School, Pratt Graphics Center (1984 – 1987) and Manhattan Graphics Center (1988 – 1992). Mershimer’s mezzotints speak to both the grit and grandeur of the modern American city.įrederick Mershimer received a BFA from Carnegie Mellon University, where he majored in painting and drawing. Yet, he skillfully choreographs lighting and detail while altering perspective to draw the viewer’s attention to the essence of the piece.
At first glance, his work can be interpreted as bold naturalism. The evocative realism he creates transports the viewer beyond first appearances to reveal the hidden beauty and vitality of his scene. His images travel through the serenity of a Brooklyn neighborhood on a still night, rush past the frenzy of taxis jockeying for position around a New York cathedral, and parade down the fire-lit streets of New Orleans in its mythical Mardi Gras celebration. Moody, mysterious, majestic – these are some of the ways to describe the mezzotints of Frederick Mershimer. This image is illustrated as #83 in catalog raisonne and is the fifth image from the artist's series, New Orleans Nights. The title was inspired by the lyrics of a traditional folk song:Īnd it's been the ruin of many a poor boy In this image the eye is drawn to a lighted window in a typical French Quarter house down the street from the bar. About Rawhide is a down-to-earth gay bar at 740 Burgundy Street.