Who painted Hôtel de Ville de Bruxelles en feu?

Hôtel de Ville de Bruxelles en feu was painted by Auguste Louis Lepère in 1914.

Where can I see Hôtel de Ville de Bruxelles en feu?

Hôtel de Ville de Bruxelles en feu is held by Cleveland Museum of Art.

Artwork

Hôtel de Ville de Bruxelles en feu

Auguste Louis Lepère , 1914

Hôtel de Ville de Bruxelles en feu is a drawing by Auguste Louis Lepère. It dates from 1914 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

Accession no.: 1974.171
Credit line: Delia E. Holden Fund

About this work

Overview

Created in 1914 by French artist Auguste Louis Lepère, the drawing titled Hôtel de Ville de Bruxelles en feu records the fire that engulfed Brussels’ municipal building during World War I. Executed as a pair of black‑and‑white sketches placed side by side, the work captures the dramatic moment with stark contrasts and a sense of immediacy.

Subject & Meaning

The composition centers on the silhouette of the ornate town hall, its roof and towers outlined against a sky thick with smoke and turbulent clouds. By focusing on the building’s outline and the surrounding haze, Lepère emphasizes the vulnerability of civic architecture amid wartime destruction, evoking both the physical loss and the emotional impact on the city’s inhabitants.

Technique & Style

Lepère employs a loose, expressive drawing technique, using bold contour lines and varied shading to suggest depth and movement. The range of values, from deep shadows on the structure to lighter, airy clouds, creates a dynamic visual rhythm. The sketches function as preparatory studies, revealing the artist’s process of translating a violent event into graphic form.

History & Provenance

The work belongs to Lepère’s broader effort to revive wood‑engraving and graphic arts in early‑20th‑century Europe. Produced shortly after the actual fire, the sketches likely served as the basis for a larger, finished piece intended for publication or exhibition. Their survival provides insight into Lepère’s rapid response to contemporary events and his role in documenting wartime realities.

Artist & collection

Artist

Auguste Louis Lepère

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.