Artwork

Promenade

Promenade, by Henri Lerolle, ink, 1895
Promenade, by Henri Lerolle, ink, 1895

Promenade is an ink print by the Impressionist artist Henri Lerolle. It dates from 1895 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Promenade is an 1895 etching by Henri Lerolle, rendered in red-brown ink on laid paper. The print captures a serene, everyday scene framed by two tall trees.

Subject & Meaning

The composition is divided by a prominent tree trunk on the left, with a small building and a solitary figure in the background. On the right, a leaning tree overlooks a thatched-roof cottage, where two figures converse in the doorway, evoking a sense of quiet, domestic life.

Technique & Style

Lerolle employed etching to create the print, a process involving ink pressed into a metal plate before transfer to paper. The loose, quick lines and soft brown shading contribute to a rough, sketchy aesthetic, characteristic of the artist's approach to capturing fleeting moments.

History & Provenance

Created in 1895, specific details regarding the print's provenance and exhibition history are not provided in the available information.

Context

Promenade reflects Lerolle's interest in depicting everyday life, a theme common among late 19th-century artists exploring the mundane and the intimate.

Legacy

While specific influence or notable exhibitions of Promenade are not detailed, the work exemplifies Lerolle's contribution to the etching tradition, particularly in capturing quotidian scenes.

Artist & collection

Artist

Henri Lerolle

Henri Lerolle (1895–1895) was an artist.

This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: National Gallery of Art open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.