Who painted Winter (1st Plate)?

Winter (1st Plate) was painted by Alphonse Legros in 1884.

Where can I see Winter (1st Plate)?

Winter (1st Plate) is held by Cleveland Museum of Art.

What movement is Winter (1st Plate)?

Winter (1st Plate) is associated with Impressionism.

Artwork

Winter (1st Plate)

Alphonse Legros , 1884

Winter (1st Plate) 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, this black‑and‑white print by Alphonse Legros depicts a solitary figure trudging through a wintry scene. The composition centers on a man bearing a long timber on his shoulder as he moves along a snow‑laden path beneath barren, skeletal trees. The work is part of the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

Subject & Meaning

The lone traveler, dressed in a heavy coat, hat, and period footwear, conveys the physical strain of labor in a harsh season. By isolating the figure against a minimal landscape, Legros emphasizes human endurance and the quiet dignity of everyday work amid the starkness of winter.

Technique & Style

Executed as an intaglio print, the image relies on dense linear hatching and cross‑hatching to render texture and depth. The monochrome palette and precise line work reflect Legros’s realist sensibility, while the fleeting atmospheric effects hint at Impressionist concerns with light and mood, even within the limited tonal range.

History & Provenance

Legros, a French artist active in the late nineteenth century, produced this piece during a period when he was exploring printmaking as a means of disseminating his observations of contemporary life. The print entered the Cleveland Museum of Art’s holdings in the early twentieth century, where it remains on view as part of the museum’s European graphic arts collection.