Auguste Louis Lepère

Auguste Louis Lepère (1849–1918), French, Louis Auguste Lepère, a distinguished French engraver, illustrator, and painter, was born in Paris on November 30, 1849, and passed away in Domme, Dordogne, on November 20, 1918. The son of sculptor François Lepère, a pupil of François Rude, Auguste embarked on his artistic journey in 1862 as an apprentice in the workshop of engraver Joseph Burn Smeeton, where he honed his skills until 1867. His early career was marked by collaborations with notable figures such as Joachim-Jean Cosson and engagements with publications like Le Monde illustré and L'Illustration, showcasing his versatility and dedication to the craft.
Lepère's artistic evolution was significantly influenced by his participation in the Franco-Prussian War of 1870, serving in the 12th battalion of the Garde mobile de la Seine before being transferred to the 4th battalion at Fort d'Issy. Post-war, he established a workshop in Paris with Henri Paillard, a fellow engraver, and began to distance himself from the then-popular 'gravure de teinte' technique, advocating instead for a return to the simplicity and authenticity of earlier engraving traditions. His work during this period reflected a deep appreciation for the primitives, romantic era engravers, and Japanese art, marking a pivotal shift in his artistic direction. Beyond engraving, Lepère explored faïence decoration at the Bourg-la-Reine pottery and was an active member of the Union syndicale de peintres et de sculpteurs. His legacy, preserved in museums across France and abroad, attests to his profound impact on the art world.