Artwork
[Large Steamer Ship at Dock, Paris]
![[Large Steamer Ship at Dock, Paris], by Auguste Lepère, 1894](https://artifactworldgallery.com/img/auguste-lepere--large-steamer-ship-at-dock-paris--ed31099e42153820-w1024.webp)
[Large Steamer Ship at Dock, Paris] is a print by the Impressionist artist Auguste Lepère. It dates from 1894 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1894 by French artist Auguste Louis Lepère, this print portrays a bustling riverfront in Paris where a sizable steamship is moored. The composition captures the interplay of industrial activity and the everyday bustle of the quay, set against a backdrop of urban architecture and a bridge that extends the scene’s perspective.
Subject & Meaning
The image documents a moment of modern urban life, emphasizing the coexistence of commerce, transportation, and leisure along the Seine. Figures gathered around tents and stalls, along with smaller vessels, suggest a lively marketplace, while the still water reflects the steady presence of the steamship, symbolizing the era’s technological progress.
Technique & Style
Lepère employed wood engraving, a medium he helped revitalize in Europe, combining precise line work for architectural elements with freer, sketch‑like strokes for crowds and water. This contrast creates a sense of immediacy, rendering detailed human activity within a broader, more atmospheric setting.
History & Provenance
The print entered the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art, where it remains on view. Its acquisition reflects the museum’s interest in late‑19th‑century French printmaking and the artist’s role in the revival of traditional engraving techniques.
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.
