France 1912

Auguste-Louis Lepère made this print, ‘France’, using etching and aquatint. The limited palette focuses attention on the subtle gradations of tone and texture achieved through the etching process. You can almost feel the artist's hand moving across the plate, guided by intuition and a deep understanding of the materials. The face is really the most interesting part, don't you think? Look at the way the light catches the cheekbone, the soft curve of the jaw. The figure emerges from a rough, textured background. The contrast between the smooth face and the rough stone is quite striking, and it really underscores the idea of art as something that emerges from the raw, chaotic world. I find that the materiality of the print, its grainy surface and delicate lines, create an atmosphere of quiet contemplation, inviting us to slow down and really see. Lepère's work shares a sensibility with that of Félix Vallotton. Both artists create works that celebrate the beauty and complexity of the everyday, inviting us to see the world in new and unexpected ways.