Artwork
Le Retour du Troupeau, Crèvecoeur
Le Retour du Troupeau, Crèvecoeur is a print by Auguste Lepère. It dates from 1913 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
About this work
Overview
Le Retour du Troupeau, Crèvecoeur is a 1913 black-and-white print by Auguste Louis Lepère, a key figure in the European revival of wood engraving. The piece is part of The Cleveland Museum of Art's collection.
Subject & Meaning
The print depicts a serene scene of sheep herding along a narrow path, with the flock gathered near a stream under a large tree. Distant trees and a faint building complete the tranquil landscape, evoking a sense of peaceful rural life.
Technique & Style
Lepère employed a minimalist approach, relying solely on lines and nuanced shading to achieve depth. The soft interplay of shadows and light, reminiscent of sfumato techniques, enhances the natural and peaceful atmosphere of the composition.
History & Provenance
Created in 1913, the work is now held in the permanent collection of The Cleveland Museum of Art, reflecting its significance within Lepère's oeuvre and the museum's holdings in European printmaking.
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.
Back of the Mills
The Shepherd and Shepherdess
The Gardens of Horace
Early Morning - Richmond
La Petite Mare
Landscape, or The White Horse, after Corot
The Gallic Round
Valley in Bourgogne (Une vallee en Bourgogne)
Traveler on a Road in a Forest
Evening
The Gardens of Horace (Les Jardins d'Horace)
Retour du Marché de St. Jean-de-Mont