France 1912

"France" (1912) is a monochromatic lithograph by French artist Auguste-Louis Lepère (1849-1918). The print depicts a bust of a woman, possibly symbolizing France, with a helmet and flowing drapery, set against a background of text celebrating the French explorer Samuel de Champlain. The inscription commemorates the unveiling of a monument to Champlain in New York, highlighting French influence in the New World. Lepère, a noted printmaker of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, was known for his subtle use of line and tone in his lithographic works, creating a sense of depth and texture. This print is part of the Art Institute of Chicago's collection.