Artwork
Le Point-du-Jour
Le Point-du-Jour is a print by the Impressionist artist Auguste Lepère. It dates from 1886 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1886 by French artist Auguste Louis Lepère, *Le Point-du-Jour* is a wood-engraved print that exemplifies the artist’s contribution to the revival of wood engraving in Europe. The work is part of the permanent collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art and presents a brief, everyday scene rendered in a sketch‑like manner.
Subject & Meaning
The image depicts a winding road where a distant train passes, a parked automobile, and a couple seated on a bench beneath a tree. The title, translating to “daybreak,” suggests an early‑morning setting, emphasizing a quiet moment of modern life where traditional and emerging modes of transport coexist.
Technique & Style
Lepère employs loose, gestural lines and extensive hatching to model forms and suggest light. The print’s sketchy quality derives from the wood‑engraving process, allowing fine tonal variation while retaining a spontaneous, almost impressionistic feel without sacrificing the precision typical of the medium.
History & Provenance
Since its creation, the print has remained in the public domain, eventually entering the Cleveland Museum of Art’s collection, where it is displayed as part of the museum’s holdings of 19th‑century French prints. Its acquisition reflects the institution’s interest in works that illustrate the technical revival of wood engraving.
Context
*Le Point-du-Jour* emerges at a time when French artists were increasingly interested in capturing fleeting, everyday moments. While not an Impressionist work per se, its emphasis on light, movement, and modern subjects aligns with broader trends in late‑19th‑century French visual culture.
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.
