Au Luxembourg (At the Luxembourg Gardens)

Executed in wood engraving, the piece relies on crisp, linear marks and flat tonal areas. The artist’s reduction of forms to basic shapes creates a sense of stillness, while the precise incising demonstrates the medium’s potential for fine detail despite its reputation for illustration.

Published in the short‑lived journal L’Image (1896‑97), the print was part of the Société Corporative des Graveurs sur Bois’s effort to assert the artistic merit of wood engraving against emerging photomechanical reproduction. Its appearance in this periodical linked it to a broader campaign to preserve traditional printmaking techniques.

At the turn of the century, the rise of photographic printing threatened traditional printmakers, prompting the formation of professional societies that championed woodcut and wood engraving. Au Luxembourg exemplifies this defensive stance, showcasing the medium’s expressive possibilities while reinforcing its relevance for illustration and fine art alike.