Artwork
Route from La Houssoye, Crevecoeur-le-Grand (Route de La Houssoye, Crevecoeur)
Route from La Houssoye, Crevecoeur-le-Grand (Route de La Houssoye, Crevecoeur) is an ink print by Auguste Lepère. It dates from 1913 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1913, this etching by French artist Auguste Lepère portrays a tranquil country lane near Crevecoeur-le-Grand. The composition draws the viewer’s gaze along a gently curving road that disappears into a lightly rendered horizon, surrounded by a dense line of trees under a muted sky.
Subject & Meaning
The image captures a quiet rural landscape, emphasizing the solitude of a winding path flanked by a forested strip. Small, indistinct structures appear in the distance, suggesting a modest settlement while the overall mood conveys a sense of calm and the passage of time within the countryside.
Technique & Style
Lepère employs delicate, intersecting lines to render foliage, giving the trees a texture reminiscent of brushwork. The road surface is depicted with roughened strokes that add tactile depth, while the contrast between dark silhouettes and the pale sky creates atmospheric perspective typical of early twentieth‑century etching.
History & Provenance
The print belongs to a period when Lepère was actively promoting printmaking, particularly the revival of wood engraving and related techniques across Europe. Produced shortly before World War I, the work reflects his interest in documenting French rural scenery through the medium of etching.
Own this work as a print
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.
