Artwork
Les Femmes receuillant les blesses
Les Femmes receuillant les blesses 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, *Les Femmes receuillant les blessés* is a black‑and‑white drawing composed as a triptych. The work is part of the Cleveland Museum of Art’s collection and exemplifies Lepère’s contribution to the early twentieth‑century revival of wood engraving techniques.
Subject & Meaning
The three panels depict a group of women collaborating to lift a substantial wooden object. In the central image, two figures lie on the ground, suggesting fatigue or injury, while the flanking scenes emphasize coordinated effort and communal support.
Technique & Style
Lepère employs bold, angular lines and stark contrasts between illuminated and shadowed areas, producing a chiaroscuro effect that heightens the sense of drama. The outer panels are rendered with precise, graphic strokes, whereas the central panel appears looser, with a sketchier quality that conveys immediacy.
History & Provenance
Since its creation, the drawing has remained in public ownership, eventually entering the Cleveland Museum of Art’s holdings. The artist’s signature, placed in the lower corners of the side panels, authenticates the work and reflects Lepère’s practice of marking his prints and drawings.
Context
Lepère’s work emerges at a time when European artists were revisiting traditional printmaking methods, especially wood engraving, to explore modern themes. This piece reflects both his technical mastery and an interest in everyday labor, aligning with broader social concerns of the pre‑World War I era.
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.
