Artwork
In the Square
In the Square is a print by the Impressionist artist Henri Evenepoel. It dates from 1897 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
About this work
This is a small print showing a woman sitting in a park. A dark coat hides most of her dress. Her hat casts a shadow over her face.
The print was part of a monthly magazine called L’Estampe Moderne. Only 150 copies were made. These print sets helped artists reach new buyers in the 1890s.
Look up Henri Evenepoel (Belgian, 1872–1899) next.
Overview
Henri Evenepoel, a Belgian artist active in Paris during the 1890s, produced only one major print before his early death at age 27.
Henri Evenepoel, a Belgian artist active in Paris during the 1890s, produced only one major print before his early death at age 27. Titled In the Square, this work was issued in 1897 as part of L’Estampe Moderne, a monthly portfolio series that distributed original prints in limited editions of 150. These publications played a key role in expanding access to contemporary printmaking among collectors and the public.
Subject & Meaning
The print depicts a solitary woman seated on a bench in a public park, her form partially obscured by a dark overcoat and the shadow of her hat. Her face is concealed, emphasizing anonymity and quiet introspection. The composition avoids narrative detail, focusing instead on mood and spatial restraint, reflecting the subtle psychological tone common in fin-de-siècle urban scenes.
Technique & Style
Evenepoel employed drypoint to create In the Square, using fine, incised lines to build texture and depth. The heavy shadows and soft tonal gradations suggest a sensitivity to light and atmosphere. The limited palette and restrained composition align with the aesthetic of Symbolist printmaking, prioritizing emotional resonance over literal representation.
History & Provenance
The print was released in 1897 through L’Estampe Moderne, a short-lived but influential series that featured works by emerging artists. Only 150 impressions were made, each part of a monthly portfolio. Evenepoel’s death the following year rendered this his sole significant print, contributing to its rarity and historical interest among collectors of late 19th-century graphic art.
Context
During the 1890s, Paris became a hub for experimental printmaking, with periodicals like L’Estampe Moderne offering artists an alternative to traditional exhibition circuits. These portfolios connected creators with a broader audience and fostered a revival of interest in original, hand-produced prints. Evenepoel’s work fits within this movement, bridging Belgian and French artistic circles at a time of stylistic transition.
Legacy
Though Evenepoel’s career was brief, In the Square remains a notable example of Symbolist printmaking from the 1890s. Its quiet intensity and technical refinement have ensured its inclusion in major collections of modern graphic art. The work endures not as a celebrated achievement, but as a quiet testament to an artist whose potential was cut short.
Artist & collection
Artist
Henri-Jacques-Edouard Evenepoel (3 October 1872 – 27 December 1899) was a French-born Belgian artist whose most important works are associated with Fauvism.
