Artwork
L'Explosion
L'Explosion 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
Created in 1914 by French artist Auguste Louis Lepère, *L'Explosion* is a drawing composed of five loosely rendered studies of a single violent encounter. The work is part of the Cleveland Museum of Art’s collection, where it is displayed as an example of Lepère’s interest in dynamic, immediate representation.
Subject & Meaning
Each panel captures a brief moment of a brutal struggle between two men. One figure dominates the composition, lunging from an elevated position, while the other lies on the ground, attempting to fend off the assault. The chaotic arrangement of lines and splashes conveys a sense of sudden conflict and uncontrolled energy.
Technique & Style
Lepère employed rapid, sketch‑like strokes, allowing the ink to remain uneven and jagged. The predominance of black and white, punctuated by lighter tonal areas that suggest facial features and clothing, heightens the contrast. The roughness of the lines, reminiscent of scribbles, reinforces the urgency and intensity of the scene.
History & Provenance
The drawing was produced during the early years of World War I, a period when Lepère was revisiting traditional wood‑engraving methods while experimenting with freer drawing techniques. After changing hands through private collections, *L'Explosion* entered the Cleveland Museum of Art, where it remains in the museum’s holdings.
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.
