River Scene with Rowers 1878

Henri-Emile Lessore created this small etching titled 'River Scene with Rowers'. Lessore was working in a period where there was growing industrialization in Europe, which had a huge effect on the landscape. He may be said to be seeking respite from urban life. In this image, there are rowers gently making their way down a calm river. It might be argued that the artist is developing an alternative narrative around labor, leisure, and the landscape. The etching emphasizes an emotional or experiential aspect of the river's scene, capturing a moment of peace and harmony. The rowers look tiny, like silhouettes, in the landscape. The viewer is drawn into the peacefulness of the scene. The artwork, with its serene river, also invites us to reflect on the emotional dimensions of our relationship with nature, offering a moment of contemplation.