Scène nocturne; patrouille à la lisière d'un bois

Executed with the stark contrasts characteristic of chiaroscuro, the print relies on bold black silhouettes against lighter areas to convey depth and motion.

Executed with the stark contrasts characteristic of chiaroscuro, the print relies on bold black silhouettes against lighter areas to convey depth and motion. Lepère’s mastery of wood‑engraving techniques is evident in the precise line work that renders tangled foliage and the dynamic suggestion of wind, while the limited tonal range heightens the dramatic tension between shadowed concealment and fleeting illumination.

The piece was produced during the early years of World War I, a period when Lepère’s interest in military subjects intensified. After its creation, the print entered private collections before being acquired by the Cleveland Museum of Art, where it remains part of the museum’s European graphic arts holdings, illustrating the artist’s contribution to the revival of wood engraving in the early twentieth century.

Lepère’s career bridged the transition from traditional etching to modern printmaking, and this work reflects contemporary concerns about the war’s impact on the French landscape. The dual scenes echo the broader cultural preoccupation with night‑time warfare and the psychological effects of darkness on both soldiers and civilians, situating the print within the larger narrative of early‑twentieth‑century European art.