Zicht op het gebouw van de prefectuur en de kade in Quimper 1863 - 1864

Léon Auguste Asselineau created this print, "Zicht op het gebouw van de prefectuur en de kade in Quimper," using etching and engraving techniques. The pale sepia tones establish a tranquil atmosphere, balanced by the intricate detail in the architectural and natural elements. Asselineau’s composition relies on structured arrangements. The buildings and the quay are aligned to create orthogonal lines, and the trees are positioned as counterpoints, softening the hard geometry with organic forms. The artist uses the geometric grid of the buildings and the linear perspective of the river to construct a rationalized space, a key element in the visual language of 19th-century urban representation. The fine lines and carefully modulated tones provide depth. This technique reflects a broader cultural interest in using art to capture the essence of modern life through controlled, ordered compositions. The image encourages us to consider the formal strategies through which artists represent space, structure, and the subtle interplay between nature and architecture.