Artwork
Alphonse Legros
Alphonse Legros is an ink print by the Impressionist artist Félix Bracquemond. It dates from 1861 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
The image is an etching, which means the artist scratched lines into a metal plate to create the design.
This is a black-and-white portrait of a man with a thick beard and curly hair. His face is turned slightly to the side, and he wears a high-collared coat. The background is simple, with just a few lines suggesting fabric or a wall. The artist used lots of fine lines to show texture, especially in his hair and beard.
The image is an etching, which means the artist scratched lines into a metal plate to create the design. This was done in 1861, and it’s held at the National Gallery of Art in Washington.
If you like this style, look up etching to see how artists use this technique.
Overview
Alphonse Legros is a black-and-white etching on laid paper created by Félix Henri Bracquemond in 1861. It is a portrait print held at the National Gallery of Art in Washington.
Subject & Meaning
The etching depicts a man with a thick beard and curly hair, wearing a high-collared coat, set against a simple background. The subject's identity is suggested by the title, Alphonse Legros, likely a contemporary of the artist.
Technique & Style
The print showcases Bracquemond's skill with etching, using fine lines to convey texture, particularly in the subject's hair and beard. The technique involves scratching lines into a metal plate to create the design, resulting in a detailed, high-contrast image.
History & Provenance
Created in 1861, Alphonse Legros reflects Bracquemond's involvement in the 19th-century etching revival. Bracquemond was a French painter, etcher, and printmaker who influenced notable artists and contributed to the development of printmaking and Japonisme in France.
Artist & collection
Artist
Félix Henri Bracquemond (French pronunciation: ; 22 May 1833 – 29 October 1914) was a French painter, etcher, and printmaker.
