Artwork
Pier on the Garonne, Bordeaux (Embarcadère sur la Garonne, Bordeaux)
Pier on the Garonne, Bordeaux (Embarcadère sur la Garonne, Bordeaux) is a print by the Impressionist artist Auguste Lepère. It dates from 1897 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art. Pier on the Garonne, Bordeaux is a 1897 print by Auguste Louis Lepère, a key figure in the European wood engraving revival.
About this work
Overview
Pier on the Garonne, Bordeaux is a 1897 print by Auguste Louis Lepère, a key figure in the European wood engraving revival. The piece is part of The Cleveland Museum of Art's collection.
Subject & Meaning
The print depicts a bustling river scene at a Bordeaux pier. A fashionably dressed woman, adorned with a feathered hat and holding a bouquet, stands at the forefront. Behind her, various vessels populate the Garonne River, with a small wooden structure visible on the shore. The woman's attire, characterized by lace and ruffles, appears somewhat antiquated.
Technique & Style
Lepère employed soft coloration and expressive, rapid brushstrokes to capture the play of light across the water and architectural elements, imbuing the scene with a sense of realism.
History & Provenance
Created in 1897, the work is now held in the permanent collection of The Cleveland Museum of Art.
Context
This piece aligns with the Realist movement's focus on everyday life, as seen in the depiction of ordinary river activity alongside the elegantly dressed woman.
Legacy
As a leading proponent of wood engraving's revival, Lepère's works, including *Pier on the Garonne, Bordeaux*, continue to represent a significant moment in the medium's history.
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.
