Artwork
Le Boulevard Montmartre, le Soir
Le Boulevard Montmartre, le Soir is a print by the Impressionist artist Auguste Lepère. It dates from 1890 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art. Created in 1890 by French artist Auguste Louis Lepère, this wood-engraved print portrays an evening on Paris’s Boulevard Montmartre.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1890 by French artist Auguste Louis Lepère, this wood-engraved print portrays an evening on Paris’s Boulevard Montmartre. The composition captures the street’s lively atmosphere after dark, emphasizing the interplay of artificial illumination from storefronts and the lingering natural light of twilight.
Subject & Meaning
The scene centers on a bench where a woman, back turned to the viewer, holds a broom while pedestrians converse and pass by. Framed by dark‑leafed trees, the bustling figures and illuminated façades convey the rhythm of urban life at night, suggesting both domestic routine and the social vibrancy of the city.
Technique & Style
Lepère employs wood engraving to render fine tonal contrasts, using chiaroscuro to model depth across the entire streetscape rather than merely facial features. The delicate carving of lighted windows and shadowed alleys creates a sense of three‑dimensional space, while the crisp lines of architecture and foliage demonstrate his mastery of the medium.
History & Provenance
As a key figure in the late‑19th‑century revival of wood engraving in Europe, Lepère produced this work during a period of renewed interest in printmaking techniques. The print has been held in several public collections since its creation, reflecting its importance within the artist’s oeuvre and the broader movement toward modern urban representation.
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.
