Artwork
Head of a Man Looking Upwards and Sideways
Head of a Man Looking Upwards and Sideways is an oil painting by Alphonse Legros. It dates from 1884 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
Overview
Alphonse Legros painted Head of a Man Looking Upwards and Sideways around 1884 using oil on canvas. The work is part of the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. It presents a solitary male head turned both upward and to the side, his gaze directed beyond the picture plane.
Subject & Meaning
The figure’s head is rendered with a contemplative air; a slight furrow of the brow and tightly pressed lips suggest inward thought. The red bandana binding his dark, curly hair adds a modest splash of colour, while the warm, golden hue of his skin conveys a sense of intimacy and quiet reflection.
Technique & Style
Legros employs bold, expressive brushwork to model the hair and flesh, creating a tactile surface that invites close inspection. Strong contrasts of light and shadow, a chiaroscuro effect, give the face a three‑dimensional presence and guide the viewer’s eye toward the expressive features.
History & Provenance
Since its creation in the mid‑1880s, the painting has remained in public hands, entering the Victoria and Albert Museum’s holdings where it is displayed as part of the museum’s European paintings collection. Its accession record confirms Legros as the artist and dates the work to circa 1884.
Artist & collection
Artist
Alphonse Legros (French pronunciation: ; 8 May 1837 – 8 December 1911) was a French, later British, painter, etcher, sculptor, and medallist.
