Artwork
Amsterdam Seen from Victoria Hotel (Amsterdamvue de Victoria Hotel)
Amsterdam Seen from Victoria Hotel (Amsterdamvue de Victoria Hotel) is an ink print by Auguste Lepère. It dates from 1901 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Amsterdam Seen from Victoria Hotel (1901) is an etching with drypoint by French artist Auguste Lepère, capturing a dynamic cityscape view of Amsterdam from the Victoria Hotel.
Subject & Meaning
The print depicts a bustling Amsterdam harbor, with densely packed ships, buildings, and scattered figures on boats and shore, conveying the vitality of the urban scene.
Technique & Style
Lepère employed fine, detailed lines to render ropes, masts, and architectural elements, contrasting with expressive, swirling strokes for water and sky, achieving a balance between precision and spontaneity.
History & Provenance
Created in 1901, the work reflects Lepère's role in the European revival of wood engraving, though this piece specifically utilizes etching with drypoint techniques.
Context
While primarily a printmaker and painter, Lepère's broader oeuvre includes leadership in the wood engraving revival in Europe, influencing the medium's popularity during the period.
Legacy
As part of Lepère's body of work, *Amsterdam Seen from Victoria Hotel* contributes to the artist's reputation for meticulous yet expressive depictions of urban landscapes.
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.
