Artwork
Return of the Procession to Nante Cathedral (Rentree de la Procession a la Cathedral de Nantes)
Return of the Procession to Nante Cathedral (Rentree de la Procession a la Cathedral de Nantes) 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
Lepère, noted for his contributions to nineteenth‑century printmaking, chose this medium to convey both the immediacy and the atmosphere of the event.
Created in 1901, *Return of the Procession to Nantes Cathedral* is an etching combined with drypoint by French artist Auguste Lepère. The print records the moment a religious procession re‑enters the streets surrounding Nantes Cathedral, presenting a densely populated scene rendered in monochrome. Lepère, noted for his contributions to nineteenth‑century printmaking, chose this medium to convey both the immediacy and the atmosphere of the event.
Subject & Meaning
The composition centers on a priest in elaborate vestments, bearing a tall processional cross, who leads a heterogeneous crowd along a narrow thoroughfare. Participants range from cloaked figures to modestly dressed townspeople, while a young boy carries a staff or branch. The arrangement suggests a communal ritual, emphasizing collective devotion and the orderly yet bustling nature of public religious observance in early‑twentieth‑century France.
Technique & Style
Lepère employed a combination of traditional etching and drypoint, allowing for fine line work alongside richer, velvety burr marks characteristic of the latter. The artist’s hand is evident in swift, sketch‑like strokes that delineate movement and crowd density, while the contrast between sharply defined foreground elements and softer background foliage creates a sense of depth without sacrificing the immediacy of the scene.
History & Provenance
The print emerged during a period when Lepère was actively reviving European wood engraving and expanding his practice in various intaglio methods. Though specific ownership records are limited, the work has been catalogued among Lepère’s late prints, reflecting his mature approach to narrative printmaking and his interest in documenting contemporary French 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.
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