Le Premier Quartier (First Quarter)

Art Historical Context

Henri Rivière's *Le Premier Quartier (First Quarter)*, created in 1901, captures the delicate glow of the moon's first quarter phase in a masterful lithograph on wove paper Measuring nearly 24 by 9.5 inches for the image alone, this print exemplifies Rivière's skill as a French printmaker active during the Belle Époque. resident of Montmartre, drew inspiration from the nocturnal skies over Paris, blending everyday urban vistas with poetic luminosity. Lithography, Rivière's preferred medium, allowed for subtle tonal gradations and vibrant colors through multiple stones—a technique he perfected himself, echoing the influence of Japanese ukiyo-e prints on European artists like the Nabis and Impressionists. Associated with Post-Impressionism, Rivière's style features flattened forms, decorative patterns, and atmospheric effects that evoke a sense of quiet wonder, transforming the night sky into a symbol of fleeting beauty. Generously gifted to the National Gallery of Art by John Harvey Schlichte Bergen, this work highlights the cultural fascination with celestial motifs at the turn of the century. It invites visitors to pause and reflect on the interplay of light and shadow, bridging art and nature in an intimate, accessible format perfect for the print collector's era.

About the Artist

Henri Rivière · 1864–1951

Henri Rivière (1864-1951) stands as a pioneering figure in European printmaking, particularly recognized as the father of color lithography and color woodcut techniques in the West. Born in Paris during the Second Empire, Rivière achieved distinction in two distinct artistic realms: as the creator of innovative shadow theater performances at the legendary Chat Noir cabaret, and as a printmaker who...