Artwork
Rouen Illustré: Le Palais du Justice
Rouen Illustré: Le Palais du Justice is a print by the Impressionist artist Auguste Lepère. It dates from 1896 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
About this work
Overview
Rouen Illustré: Le Palais du Justice is a 1896 print by French artist Auguste Louis Lepère, renowned for his role in reviving wood engraving in Europe. The work is part of The Cleveland Museum of Art's collection.
Subject & Meaning
The print depicts the Palais de Justice in Rouen, France, showcasing its ornate architecture, including tall spiky roofs, detailed windows, pointed arches, and carvings. Figures in period attire are scattered in the foreground, highlighting everyday life alongside the monumental building.
Technique & Style
Lepère employed sharp lines and meticulous rendering to capture the texture of every brick and shadow, lending the scene a sense of realism. The black-and-white composition emphasizes clarity and precision, characteristic of his wood engraving technique.
History & Provenance
Created in 1896, the print is one of several works by Lepère focusing on the Palais de Justice through printmaking. It is currently held in the collection of The Cleveland Museum of Art.
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.
Topographical drawing
Picturesque Architecture in Paris, Ghent, Antwerp, Rouen: L'Hôtel de Ville, Arras, France
Vue general de l'Église St. Gervais et St. Protais à Gisors
Market place, Nuremberg
Voyages pittoresques et romantiques dans l'ancienne France, Normandie: Église de Saint Gervais et Saint Protais à Gisors
St. Chapelle, Paris
City Hall at Thorn
Rouen, St. Etienne