Artwork

George Frederic Watts

George Frederic Watts, by Alphonse Legros, 1879
George Frederic Watts, by Alphonse Legros, 1879

George Frederic Watts is a print by the Impressionist artist Alphonse Legros. It dates from 1879 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

This black-and-white print, created by Alphonse Legros in 1879, is a portrait of George Frederic Watts. It is currently held at The Cleveland Museum of Art.

Subject & Meaning

The portrait depicts an older man with a long white beard and curly hair, shown in a contemplative mood. The subject's serious yet thoughtful expression is conveyed through careful rendering of facial lines and textures.

Technique & Style

The artist achieved a three-dimensional effect through shading, emphasizing contrasts between light and dark areas. This chiaroscuro technique creates depth and volume in the portrait without relying on color.

Artist & collection

Portrait of Alphonse Legros

Artist

Alphonse Legros

Alphonse Legros (French pronunciation: ; 8 May 1837 – 8 December 1911) was a French, later British, painter, etcher, sculptor, and medallist.

This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: Cleveland Museum of Art open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.