Who painted Fugitifs?

Fugitifs was painted by Auguste Lepère in 1914.

Where can I see Fugitifs?

Fugitifs is held by Cleveland Museum of Art.

Fugitifs by Auguste Lepère (1914) — Meaning & Museum

About this work

The lines are bold and dark, making the figures stand out against a light background.

This sketch shows two groups of people carrying huge sacks on their backs. They’re walking away from something, with a few kids trailing behind. The lines are bold and dark, making the figures stand out against a light background.

The people look tired, like they’re fleeing with only what they can carry. The artist focused on their struggle, not their faces.

Next, look up Auguste Louis Lepère (French, 1849–1918) to see more of his work.

Overview

Created in 1914 by French artist Auguste Louis Lepère, *Fugitifs* is a wood‑engraved print that belongs to the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art. Lepère, a pivotal figure in the early twentieth‑century revival of wood engraving in Europe, employed the medium to capture a moment of forced migration, rendering the scene with stark contrasts and a compact composition.

Subject & Meaning

The image depicts two groups of individuals burdened with oversized sacks, moving away from an unseen threat while a few children trail behind. The figures appear exhausted, emphasizing the hardship of displacement. Lepère deliberately omits facial detail, directing attention to the collective struggle and the physical weight of what the migrants can carry.

Technique & Style

Executed in wood engraving, the work features bold, dark lines that define the silhouettes of the travelers against a light background. The high‑contrast carving creates a graphic clarity, while the simplified forms and lack of interior detail underscore the urgency of the scene. Lepère’s approach reflects his commitment to the expressive possibilities of the medium.

History & Provenance

*Fugitifs* was produced toward the end of Lepère’s career, shortly before his death in 1918. The print entered the Cleveland Museum of Art’s collection, where it remains accessible for study. Its acquisition reflects the museum’s interest in early twentieth‑century French printmaking and the artist’s role in reviving traditional engraving techniques.

Artist & collection

Artist

Auguste Lepère

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.