1885
From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art
Dominant colour
La Rue des Cordiers is a 1885 by Auguste Lepère, a Impressionism work, held at Cleveland Museum of Art.
This etching shows a narrow, dim alley packed with people and old buildings. The walls lean in, and clotheslines crisscross above. Shadows stretch long, and light spills from a window high up. A few folks sit on the uneven ground, while others move through the tight space. The artist used sharp lines and deep contrasts to show the alley’s gritty feel. The way light and dark clash makes the scene feel alive, almost like a snapshot of daily life. Want to see more of this style? Check out Realism.
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.
See the richer artist page
