Where can I see Death and the Woodcutter, 2nd plate (La Mort de le bucheron)?

Death and the Woodcutter, 2nd plate (La Mort de le bucheron) is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Death and the Woodcutter, 2nd plate (La Mort de le bucheron)?

Death and the Woodcutter, 2nd plate (La Mort de le bucheron) is associated with Romanticism.

Artwork

Death and the Woodcutter, 2nd plate (La Mort de le bucheron)

Death and the Woodcutter, 2nd plate (La Mort de le bucheron) 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

Alphonse Legros, a French-born artist who later became a British citizen, created 'Death and the Woodcutter, 2nd plate (La Mort de le bucheron)' in 1874. The work is an etching and drypoint print.

Subject & Meaning

The print depicts a confrontation between a skeletal figure, symbolizing death, and a woodcutter. The woodcutter lies on the ground, his face hidden, suggesting exhaustion or defeat. The skeletal figure, armed with a scythe, looms over him, implying a threatening presence.

Technique & Style

The scene is rendered in a stark, somber style, with the background featuring tangled trees and bushes drawn with quick, rough lines. The use of etching and drypoint techniques allows for a range of tonal values and textures, contributing to the overall somber atmosphere.