Artwork
Departure for Greenwich (Depart pour Greenwich)
Departure for Greenwich (Depart pour Greenwich) is an ink print by the Impressionist artist Auguste Louis Lepère. It dates from 1891 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art. Created in 1891, Departure for Greenwich is an etching by French artist Auguste Lepère.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1891, Departure for Greenwich is an etching by French artist Auguste Lepère. The print captures a moment of departure, showing figures gathered around a horse‑drawn carriage poised to leave for Greenwich. Set against a backdrop of buildings and trees, the composition conveys a sense of motion and everyday activity, reflecting Lepère’s interest in contemporary urban scenes.
Subject & Meaning
The work portrays a group of people preparing for a journey, likely linked to the river traffic that connected Paris with Greenwich. By focusing on ordinary travelers, Lepère emphasizes the rhythms of daily life and the social interactions that accompany public departures, offering a glimpse into late‑19th‑century mobility and communal anticipation.
Technique & Style
Lepère employed traditional etching methods, incising lines into a metal plate before transferring the image onto paper.
Lepère employed traditional etching methods, incising lines into a metal plate before transferring the image onto paper. A varied line quality, ranging from fine hatching to broader strokes, creates depth and atmospheric perspective. The loose, expressive rendering of architecture and foliage, combined with precise detailing of the carriage and figures, balances spontaneity with controlled draftsmanship.
History & Provenance
Produced during a period when European artists were re‑examining printmaking, the etching exemplifies Lepère’s contribution to the revival of graphic arts. While specific ownership records are limited, the piece has been catalogued among Lepère’s late works and appears in several museum collections that document the resurgence of etching in the 1890s.
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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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