Artwork
Reims
Reims 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
The image is mostly black and white, with some light areas that look like explosions or fire.
This print shows a dark, chaotic scene with jagged lines and swirling shapes. The image is mostly black and white, with some light areas that look like explosions or fire. Buildings and trees are barely visible, buried under the heavy, rough marks.
The artist used a technique where ink is scraped or wiped away to create texture—this is called *chiaroscuro* but pushed further, almost like a sketch gone wild. The date on the print is 1914, which might hint at why it feels so tense.
Want to see more work like this? Check out Auguste Louis Lepère.
Overview
Reims is a drawing by Auguste Louis Lepère, a French painter and etcher, created in 1914. It is part of The Cleveland Museum of Art's collection.
Subject & Meaning
The drawing depicts a chaotic scene with dark, jagged lines and swirling shapes, suggesting destruction or turmoil. Buildings and trees are obscured by heavy, rough marks, conveying a sense of chaos.
Technique & Style
Lepère employed a technique involving scraping or wiping away ink to achieve textured effects, creating a dramatic contrast between light and dark areas. This approach intensifies the emotional impact of the image.
Context
The work's date, 1914, coincides with the outbreak of World War I, potentially influencing its tense and chaotic atmosphere.
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.
