Who painted Le roi Pierre de Serbie?

Le roi Pierre de Serbie was painted by Auguste Lepère in 1914.

Where can I see Le roi Pierre de Serbie?

Le roi Pierre de Serbie is held by Cleveland Museum of Art.

Artwork

Le roi Pierre de Serbie

Auguste Lepère , 1914

Le roi Pierre de Serbie 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, *Le roi Pierre de Serbie* is a drawing held by the Cleveland Museum of Art. Lepère, noted for his role in the early twentieth‑century revival of wood engraving, applied his graphic sensibility to this series of studies, which depict a solitary figure in a long coat and hat.

Subject & Meaning

The composition centers on a lone man seated on a bench or patch of grass, his posture relaxed yet attentive. Though the work does not identify a specific narrative, the title suggests a reference to a historical or literary figure, inviting viewers to consider themes of authority, solitude, or contemplation.

Technique & Style

Lepère employs varied line weights and textured strokes to model form, creating a subtle chiaroscuro that imparts volume to the figure. The drawing oscillates between close‑up facial studies and broader full‑body sketches, each rendered with expressive, economical lines that convey both movement and a quiet stillness.

History & Provenance

After its completion, the drawing entered private collections before being acquired by the Cleveland Museum of Art, where it now forms part of the museum’s holdings of early twentieth‑century French graphic art. Its presence in the collection underscores Lepère’s influence on the revival of traditional printmaking techniques in Europe.

Artist & collection

Artist

Auguste Lepère

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.