Artwork
Avions reposant sur le terrain (verso)
Avions reposant sur le terrain (verso) is a drawing by Auguste Lepère. It dates from 1914 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
About this work
Overview
Avions reposant sur le terrain (verso) is a 1914 drawing by Auguste Louis Lepère, a French artist instrumental in the European revival of wood engraving. The work is housed in The Cleveland Museum of Art's collection.
Subject & Meaning
The drawing depicts two airplanes at rest on the ground, rendered in simplified forms with minimal dark accents for detail. The subject matter reflects the early 20th-century fascination with aviation.
Technique & Style
Lepère employed loose, wavy lines and rapid, uneven marks to create a dynamic, sketch-like quality. The background features dense, tangled strokes, evoking energy and suggesting a quick, possibly preliminary, execution.
History & Provenance
Created in 1914, the drawing is part of The Cleveland Museum of Art's holdings, though specific acquisition details are not provided here.
Context
This work emerges from a period of great interest in aviation's emergence. Lepère's artistic approach, meanwhile, aligns with early 20th-century explorations of expressive drawing techniques.
Legacy
While specific legacy details of *Avions reposant sur le terrain (verso)* are not highlighted, it contributes to the broader historical record of early aviation's depiction in art and Lepère's contribution to European wood engraving's revival.
Artist & collection
Artist
Louis-Auguste Lepère (30 November 1849 – 20 November 1918) was a French painter and etcher. Lepère is also considered a leader in the creative revival of wood engraving in Europe.
