At the Square

Art Historical Context

Henri Evenepoel's *At the Square* (1897) is a striking color lithograph on wove paper, measuring 33.1 x 23.2 cm (sheet: 40.5 x 30.6 cm). Housed in the National Gallery of Art's Prints department (CG-W) through the generous gift of Ruth B. Benedict, this work exemplifies the Belgian artist's brief but innovative career. Evenepoel, active in Paris during the 1890s, produced posters and prints that captured urban life with a fresh, modern sensibility before his untimely death at age 27. Color lithography, a key technique of the fin-de-siècle, allowed for rich, multi-chromatic layers printed from stone—ideal for affordable yet artistic reproductions. Popularized by artists like Toulouse-Lautrec, it democratized bold imagery, blending fine art with commercial posters. Evenepoel's use of this medium highlights the era's fusion of tradition and innovation, evoking the lively public squares central to Belle Époque social scenes. As a snapshot of late 19th-century printmaking, *At the Square* invites visitors to appreciate how everyday gatherings inspired artistic experimentation, bridging Impressionist light effects with emerging modernist vibrancy. A gem for print enthusiasts!