Artwork

After the Battle

After the Battle, by Alphonse Legros, ink, 1874
After the Battle, by Alphonse Legros, ink, 1874

After the Battle is an ink drawing by the Romanticist artist Alphonse Legros. It dates from 1874 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

After the Battle is a drawing created by Alphonse Legros in 1874. It is executed in pen and brown ink with brown wash over graphite on brown paper.

Subject & Meaning

The drawing depicts a chaotic and somber scene following a conflict, with a skeleton on horseback wielding a scythe amidst scattered bodies, conveying a sense of death and destruction.

Technique & Style

Legros employed a range of techniques, including pen, brown ink, and brown wash over graphite, to achieve a muted, earthy tone that suits the somber subject matter, characteristic of the Romanticism movement.

Context

As a French-born artist who later settled in Britain, Legros's work reflects his diverse influences, and After the Battle is an example of his contribution to the history painting genre.

Artist & collection

Portrait of Alphonse Legros

Artist

Alphonse Legros

Alphonse Legros (French pronunciation: ; 8 May 1837 – 8 December 1911) was a French, later British, painter, etcher, sculptor, and medallist.

This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: National Gallery of Art open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.