Notre-Dame, Evening, plate eight from Le Long de la Seine et des Boulevards Possibly 1890 - 1910

Auguste-Louis Lepère created this print, *Notre-Dame, Evening*, using etching and aquatint. The dark ink captures the imposing silhouette of the Notre-Dame cathedral against the Parisian evening sky. Lepère masterfully uses light and shadow to structure the composition. Notice how the intricate details of the cathedral are suggested, rather than explicitly defined, through variations in tone and texture. The soft, atmospheric rendering of the sky contrasts with the sharp, linear quality of the architectural details below. This play of light and shadow not only creates a moody, evocative atmosphere but also directs the viewer's gaze, establishing a visual hierarchy. Lepère's print invites us to reflect on the interplay between tradition and modernity, permanence and change. The cathedral, a symbol of historical and cultural continuity, is juxtaposed against the fleeting, transient effects of light and atmosphere. This tension is a central theme, and the artwork encourages us to contemplate the ways in which the past is always present.