Artwork

Paris under Snow

Paris under Snow, by Auguste Lepère, 1890
Paris under Snow, by Auguste Lepère, 1890

Paris under Snow 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.

About this work

Overview

Paris under Snow is a wood engraving by Lepère, depicting a serene winter scene of central Paris. The artwork showcases the artist's mastery of the medium, capturing the cityscape under a blanket of snow.

Subject & Meaning

The engraving portrays Parisian rooftops covered in snow, set against a gray sky. The contrast between the white snowflakes, dark river, and distant blurred landscape conveys a sense of calm and wintry tranquility.

Technique & Style

Lepère utilized the wood engraving technique, where ink is applied to carved wooden blocks. The process allowed for intricate, closely set lines, resulting in a range of textures and tones. The snow appears as white lines against the dark, inky cityscape, creating a sharp yet quiet visual effect.

History & Provenance

Originally created by Lepère, this wood engraving is now part of The Cleveland Museum of Art's collection, where it is available for public viewing.

Artist & collection

Portrait of Auguste Lepère

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.

This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: Cleveland Museum of Art open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.