Who painted Head of a Man Looking Upwards and Sideways?

Head of a Man Looking Upwards and Sideways was painted by Alphonse Legros in 1888.

Where can I see Head of a Man Looking Upwards and Sideways?

Head of a Man Looking Upwards and Sideways is held by Victoria and Albert Museum.

What movement is Head of a Man Looking Upwards and Sideways?

Head of a Man Looking Upwards and Sideways is associated with Post-Impressionism.

Artwork

Head of a Man Looking Upwards and Sideways

Alphonse Legros , 1888

Head of a Man Looking Upwards and Sideways is an oil painting by the Post-Impressionist artist Alphonse Legros. It dates from 1888 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.

About this work

Overview

Alphonse Legros painted the oil work titled Head of a Man Looking Upwards and Sideways in 1888. The portrait, which measures the head of a solitary figure, is part of the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.

Subject & Meaning

The canvas shows a man with short, dark hair whose gaze is directed upward and to the side. His brow is slightly furrowed, giving the impression of contemplation or introspection as he looks beyond the picture plane.

Technique & Style

Legros employs a strong chiaroscuro, contrasting illuminated planes of the face with deep shadows to model form and suggest volume. The dramatic light treatment focuses attention on the eyes and expression, a hallmark of his approach to portraiture.

History & Provenance

Created toward the end of Legros’s career, the painting entered the Victoria and Albert Museum’s holdings, where it remains on display as part of the museum’s European painting collection.