Who painted A Beggar?

A Beggar was painted by Alphonse Legros in 1884.

Where can I see A Beggar?

A Beggar is held by Cleveland Museum of Art.

What movement is A Beggar?

A Beggar is associated with Impressionism.

Artwork

A Beggar

Alphonse Legros , 1884

A Beggar is a print by the Impressionist artist Alphonse Legros. It dates from 1884 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

Created in 1884 by French artist Alphonse Legros, this print titled *A Beggar* is part of the collection at the Cleveland Museum of Art. The work presents a solitary, elderly figure rendered in a sketch‑like manner, emphasizing the hardships of daily existence.

Subject & Meaning

The composition centers on an aged man in a long coat, his face partially turned away, a weathered beard and deep facial lines suggesting a life of toil. One hand clutches a hat, while the other rests on his coat, conveying a sense of vulnerability and the precariousness of his condition.

Technique & Style

Legros employs loose, rapid lines that give the image a spontaneous, almost unfinished quality. The emphasis on texture and the unembellished portrayal of the figure aligns with the Realist agenda of depicting ordinary people without idealization, focusing on the material reality of the subject.

History & Provenance

The print was produced in the mid‑1880s, a period when Legros was active in both painting and printmaking. It entered the Cleveland Museum of Art’s holdings through acquisition (date of acquisition not specified), where it remains accessible for study of Legros’s engagement with Realist themes.