Artwork
Statue d'un Grand Homme
Statue d'un Grand Homme is a print by the Impressionist artist Auguste Lepère. It dates from 1894 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1894 by French artist Auguste Louis Lepère, *Statue d'un Grand Homme* is a black‑and‑white print that captures a bustling town square. The composition centers on a seated figure sketching on a bench, a dog at his feet, and a crowd moving around a pedestal‑borne statue, all set against the backdrop of a tall church tower.
Subject & Meaning
The scene portrays ordinary urban life, emphasizing the rhythm of daily activities—people conversing, strolling, and pausing near the monument. By focusing on a lone artist within the crowd, Lepère hints at the relationship between observation and creation, suggesting that even commonplace moments can inspire artistic reflection.
Technique & Style
Lepère employed the wood‑engraving method he helped revive, using swift, loose lines to convey motion and atmosphere. The stark monochrome palette and expressive hatching give the print a sense of immediacy, while the simplified forms align it with the Realist interest in truthful, unidealized representation of contemporary life.
History & Provenance
Since its production, the print has been part of the Cleveland Museum of Art’s collection, where it remains accessible to the public. Its inclusion reflects the museum’s commitment to European printmaking and highlights Lepère’s role in the late‑19th‑century resurgence of wood‑engraved illustration.
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.
