Noon, Under the Trees Possibly 1889 - 1908

Auguste-Louis Lepère made this print, "Noon, Under the Trees," using etching. The composition is striking, split between a foreground scene of a group of figures and a background dominated by towering trees. The texture, achieved through the etching technique, gives a grainy, almost dreamlike quality to the scene. Notice how Lepère uses line to create depth and contrast. The dense, dark lines in the foliage and tree trunks sharply contrast with the lighter, more open spaces, drawing our eyes through the scene. The figures in the foreground are carefully rendered. The arrangement of the elements suggests a close look at societal structures. The trees, with their strong vertical lines, might represent a kind of natural order, while the group of figures suggests a social structure. The print invites us to consider how we perceive the relationship between nature and society, and how these perceptions are shaped by the way the scene is constructed. The texture and the balance between light and shadow, enhance the contemplative nature of the piece. Lepère's work becomes a space where we can reflect on the interplay between form, perception, and meaning.