Self-portrait 1895

Editor: This is Auguste-Louis Lepère's self-portrait, an undated print housed at the Harvard Art Museums. It's a striking image, with a focus on the texture of the lines. What do you see in this piece? Curator: I see Lepère positioning himself within the means of his own artistic production. Notice the emphasis on the tools of his trade and the act of creation itself. How do the materials and the printing process inform our understanding of Lepère's identity as an artist and a craftsman? Editor: It's interesting to consider the labor involved in creating this print. Curator: Exactly. The image isn’t just about Lepère, but about the tangible process and materials central to his work. Editor: I hadn't thought about it that way, thanks!