Artwork
C.J. Knowles, 2nd plate
C.J. Knowles, 2nd plate 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. C.
About this work
Overview
C.J. Knowles, 2nd plate is an etching created by Alphonse Legros in 1874. The print is executed in dark brown ink and features a portrait of C.J. Knowles.
Subject & Meaning
The etching depicts a man with a serious expression, gazing directly at the viewer. His thinning hair and short beard are rendered in detail, conveying a sense of quiet contemplation and inviting reflection on the subject's character.
Technique & Style
Legros's skilled use of etching techniques is evident in the portrait. The simple background, achieved through horizontal lines, adds texture and depth to the image, underscoring Legros's role in reviving etching in Britain.
History & Provenance
Alphonse Legros, a French-born artist who became a British citizen, created this etching during a period of significant activity as both an artist and influential teacher in London, where he had settled in 1863.
Artist & collection
Artist
Alphonse Legros (French pronunciation: ; 8 May 1837 – 8 December 1911) was a French, later British, painter, etcher, sculptor, and medallist.
