Artwork
Head of a Young Man
Head of a Young Man 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
Head of a Young Man, a print by Alphonse Legros from 1884, is part of The Cleveland Museum of Art's collection. The work depicts a youthful subject with a subtle, turned pose.
Subject & Meaning
The portrait focuses on capturing the play of light and shadow across the young man's face, rather than direct engagement with the viewer. Facial features, including wavy hair rendered in tight lines and a distinct mustache, are defined with restraint.
Technique & Style
Executed on light paper, the piece features soft shading reminiscent of smudged pencil strokes. This approach aligns with sfumato, a 19th-century technique emphasizing edge-blending for realism, which was particularly notable during that era for enhancing portraiture's sense of depth.
History & Provenance
Created in 1884 by Alphonse Legros, the print is currently held in the collection of The Cleveland Museum of Art.
Artist & collection
Artist
Alphonse Legros (French pronunciation: ; 8 May 1837 – 8 December 1911) was a French, later British, painter, etcher, sculptor, and medallist.
![Head of a Man [recto], by Théodore Géricault](https://artifactworldgallery.com/img/theodore-gericault--head-of-a-man-recto--d6e68ba78da40efa-w320.webp)
