Artwork
L'Incendiare
L'Incendiare 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'Incendiare is a drawing that presents a series of four studies of a soldier in motion. The work is part of the Cleveland Museum of Art’s collection and exemplifies Lepère’s interest in capturing dynamic human figures through varied line work.
Subject & Meaning
The four images focus on a single infantryman, depicting him in different stages of movement: a static pose, a mid‑step with a rifle, and two more detailed studies of him walking through tall vegetation. The emphasis on the limbs and equipment highlights the physicality of military action and the tension inherent in a soldier’s advance.
Technique & Style
Lepère contrasts loose, gestural sketches with stark, high‑contrast black‑and‑white renderings. The initial two studies employ rapid, fluid lines to suggest motion, while the lower pair use precise, graphic outlines that define the helmet, gear and surrounding foliage. This juxtaposition underscores the artist’s exploration of line, form, and the play of light and shadow.
History & Provenance
L'Incendiare was produced during the early years of World War I, a period that prompted many artists to document the war’s human dimension. After its creation, the drawing entered private hands before being acquired by the Cleveland Museum of Art, where it remains on view as part of the museum’s European prints and drawings collection.
Context
Lepère was a leading figure in the revival of wood engraving and printmaking in Europe, and his work often merged fine‑art drawing with graphic techniques. L'Incendiare reflects his broader practice of studying movement and anatomy, aligning with contemporary interests in kinetic representation and the visual language of military subjects.
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.
