Artwork
Le Clovis, Plateau de Bellecroix
Le Clovis, Plateau de Bellecroix is a print by the Impressionist artist Auguste Louis Lepère. It dates from 1890 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
- Accession no.
- 1921.1368
- Credit line
- Gift of Leonard C. Hanna Jr.
About this work
Overview
The image presents a quiet rural scene centered on a solitary, twisted tree whose branches reach upward while its roots suggest movement beneath the ground.
Created in 1890 by French artist Auguste Louis Lepère, Le Clovis, Plateau de Bellecroix is a wood-engraved print held by the Cleveland Museum of Art. The image presents a quiet rural scene centered on a solitary, twisted tree whose branches reach upward while its roots suggest movement beneath the ground. A low hill with scattered vegetation recedes in the background, establishing a calm, balanced composition.
Subject & Meaning
The composition focuses on the interplay between the tree’s gnarled form and the surrounding landscape, inviting contemplation of natural resilience and the passage of time. The solitary tree, rendered with exaggerated roots and branches, serves as a visual anchor, while the gentle slope and distant foliage suggest a broader, tranquil environment, emphasizing harmony between individual and setting.
Technique & Style
Lepère employed traditional wood engraving, exploiting the medium’s capacity for fine line work and stark contrast. Through chiaroscuro, he juxtaposed deep shadows against illuminated areas, giving the tree a three‑dimensional presence. The delicate hatching and careful modulation of tone create texture in bark, foliage, and sky, demonstrating the artist’s mastery of light and shadow within the printmaking process.
History & Provenance
The print emerged during Lepère’s pivotal role in the late‑19th‑century revival of wood engraving across Europe. After its creation, Le Clovis, Plateau de Bellecroix entered the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art, where it remains accessible for study and public viewing, reflecting the museum’s commitment to preserving works that illustrate the technical and aesthetic developments of the period.
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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