Artwork
Auguste Delâtre
Auguste Delâtre is a print by the Impressionist artist Alphonse Legros. It dates from 1877 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
About this work
Overview
Auguste Delâtre is a black‑and‑white print executed by the French artist Alphonse Legros around 1877. The work portrays a seated male figure with a prominent mustache, wavy hair, and a collared shirt beneath a textured jacket. The composition is rendered in a single tonal range, emphasizing line and shading over color.
Subject & Meaning
The sitter, identified by the title as Auguste Delâtre, appears as a dignified middle‑aged man, his steady gaze suggesting a contemplative or resolute character. The careful rendering of facial features and attire conveys a realistic presence, inviting viewers to consider the individual's social standing and personal demeanor within the 19th‑century context.
Technique & Style
Legros employed rapid, sketchy strokes to suggest the folds of the jacket and the subtle modeling of the face. The drawing relies on cross‑hatching and tonal shading to create depth, reflecting the loose yet expressive approach characteristic of Realist printmaking in the late 1800s.
History & Provenance
Created circa 1877, the print entered the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art, where it remains on display. Its acquisition reflects the museum’s interest in 19th‑century French graphic works and Legros’s contributions to the development of realist drawing techniques.
Context
During the 1870s, Legros was active in both painting and printmaking, aligning with the Realist movement that emphasized truthful representation of everyday subjects. Auguste Delâtre exemplifies his focus on portraiture, using the medium of print to capture the immediacy of a live study.
Artist & collection
Artist
Alphonse Legros (French pronunciation: ; 8 May 1837 – 8 December 1911) was a French, later British, painter, etcher, sculptor, and medallist.
