Artwork
Old Houses at Amiens (Vieilles maisons a Amiens)
Old Houses at Amiens (Vieilles maisons a Amiens) is an ink print by Auguste Lepère. It dates from 1907 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1907, this etching by Louis‑Auguste Lepère portrays a modest streetscape in Amiens. Rendered on light‑green paper, the image captures a row of aging houses beneath a towering church, with figures moving along a cobblestone lane. The composition conveys a quiet moment of daily life in a provincial French town.
Subject & Meaning
The work focuses on the architectural character of Amiens’ older quarters, highlighting steeply pitched roofs, chimneys, and a façade bearing the inscription “A L’ARBRE D’OR.” A hat‑clad pedestrian and a standing figure near a well suggest ordinary activity, emphasizing the continuity of community within historic surroundings.
Technique & Style
Lepère employed a fine‑line etching process, exploiting the contrast of ink against the green‑toned paper to delineate architectural detail and texture. The precision of line work reflects his expertise in printmaking, while the muted palette and careful shading evoke atmospheric depth without reliance on color.
History & Provenance
Louis‑Auguste Lepère (1849‑1918) was a French painter and printmaker noted for revitalising wood engraving in Europe. This 1907 etching belongs to the later period of his career, when he turned increasingly to urban scenes. The piece has remained in private collections and museum holdings, illustrating his sustained interest in French provincial life.
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.
Banks of the Somme at Amiens (Bords de la Somme a Amiens)
Ancienne habitation à Bourges, dite "La Maison du Musicien" (An Old House at Bourges, Sometimes Called the "Musician's House")
Wych Street
Temple
Temple
Temple
Provins (Seine et Marne)
Clothes Exchange, No.I
Clifford's Inn Hall
House Where Whistler Died