Boulevard Montmartre, Evening, plate fifteen from Le Long de la Seine et des Boulevards Possibly 1890 - 1910

Auguste-Louis Lepère created this print, *Boulevard Montmartre, Evening*, using etching and engraving techniques. The dense network of lines captures a bustling Parisian evening scene. Notice how the composition is structured around a central pathway receding into the distance, flanked by trees and buildings. Lepère masterfully uses chiaroscuro to create depth and mood. Dark, shadowed areas contrast with patches of light, evoking the artificial glow of street lamps and illuminated windows. This use of light is not just descriptive; it shapes our emotional experience, creating a sense of dynamism and urban spectacle. The etching and engraving techniques allow for intricate details, inviting viewers to explore the textures of the leaves and the architectural facades. The structure of the image functions as a signifier of modern urban life, capturing its fleeting moments and ever-changing rhythms. This piece challenges the traditional, fixed representations of urban space, instead presenting a fluid, dynamic environment.