Artwork
Birch Trees: Water's Edge Seen in Morning Light (Les Bouleaux: Bord de l'eau, effet du matin)
Birch Trees: Water's Edge Seen in Morning Light (Les Bouleaux: Bord de l'eau, effet du matin) is an ink print 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
Birch Trees: Water's Edge Seen in Morning Light is a 1874 etching and drypoint print by Alphonse Legros, capturing a serene riverside scene with birch trees bathed in morning light.
Subject & Meaning
The print depicts a peaceful forest edge with tall, slender birch trees, tangled roots, and calm water. The scene conveys a sense of a cool morning, with nascent shadows and light dancing across the composition.
Technique & Style
Legros employed intaglio techniques, characterized by quick, scratchy marks, to render the play of morning light on the trees and the subtle texture of the natural environment.
History & Provenance
Created in 1874, the work exemplifies Legros's contribution to the British etching revival, a movement he influenced as both artist and educator after settling in London in 1863.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Alphonse Legros (French pronunciation: ; 8 May 1837 – 8 December 1911) was a French, later British, painter, etcher, sculptor, and medallist.
