Artwork

The River Porter, Monday

The River Porter, Monday, by Auguste Lepère, 1897
The River Porter, Monday, by Auguste Lepère, 1897

The River Porter, Monday 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.

About this work

Overview

The River Porter, Monday is a 1897 print by Auguste Louis Lepère, a French artist who played a key role in reviving wood engraving in Europe.

Subject & Meaning

The print depicts a bustling riverbank scene with workers and onlookers near a pile of sacks or bundles. The contrast between the worn, slumped figures and the sharp boats and buildings may suggest the toll of hard labor.

Technique & Style

Lepère employed soft shading to convey a warm, subdued light, creating a sense of atmosphere in the scene. The varying levels of detail among the figures and objects add depth to the composition.

Context

The River Porter, Monday is associated with the Realist movement, which focused on depicting everyday life and ordinary people engaged in their daily activities.

Artist & collection

Portrait of Auguste Lepère

Artist

Auguste Lepère

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.

This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: Cleveland Museum of Art open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.