Mushroom Hunters at the Rocher Bernard Possibly 1908

Auguste-Louis Lepère made this print of mushroom hunters in the forest, using etching, and engraving techniques. Look closely at the cross-hatching; the density of lines creating shadow, the delicate marks describing the leaves in the background. It’s like a dance of dark and light. The surface has an intimate, handmade quality. Lepère’s process feels present. You can almost hear the scratching of the tool on the plate. See the figure on the left, pausing, leaning on their stick. The artist creates a sense of depth through the density of the marks, drawing us into the forest. The composition has this beautiful balance between detail and suggestion, like memory. Lepère reminds me of Whistler, who was similarly interested in printmaking and in capturing a fleeting moment. Both artists leave space for us to wander, to get lost, and to find our own way. Art is like mushroom hunting – it's about discovering hidden treasures.