Who painted Farm with a Large Tree (La Ferme au Grand Arbre)?

Farm with a Large Tree (La Ferme au Grand Arbre) was painted by Alphonse Legros in 1866.

Where can I see Farm with a Large Tree (La Ferme au Grand Arbre)?

Farm with a Large Tree (La Ferme au Grand Arbre) is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Farm with a Large Tree (La Ferme au Grand Arbre)?

Farm with a Large Tree (La Ferme au Grand Arbre) is associated with Impressionism.

Artwork

Farm with a Large Tree (La Ferme au Grand Arbre)

Alphonse Legros , 1866

Farm with a Large Tree (La Ferme au Grand Arbre) is an ink print by the Impressionist artist Alphonse Legros. It dates from 1866 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art. Created in 1866, *Farm with a Large Tree* is a print that combines etching and drypoint techniques.

About this work

Overview

Created in 1866, *Farm with a Large Tree* is a print that combines etching and drypoint techniques. The composition presents a quiet countryside scene, dominated by a solitary, expansive tree that rises in the foreground. Beyond the tree, a modest farm building and a small windmill sit amid gently rolling hills under a cloud‑filled sky, conveying a calm, pastoral atmosphere.

Subject & Meaning

The work captures a moment of rural tranquility, emphasizing the relationship between natural and built environments. The towering tree serves as a visual anchor, suggesting stability and continuity, while the modest structures hint at everyday agricultural life. The overall mood is one of peaceful repose, inviting contemplation of the simple rhythms of the countryside.

Technique & Style

This combination of methods allows for precise detail alongside softer tonal variations, characteristic of mid‑19th‑century revivalist printmaking.

Legros employed traditional intaglio processes, using acid‑etched lines for broader forms and drypoint for finer, velvety strokes. The contrast between bold, defined outlines and delicate shading creates depth and texture, particularly in the foliage and sky. This combination of methods allows for precise detail alongside softer tonal variations, characteristic of mid‑19th‑century revivalist printmaking.

History & Provenance

French‑born Alphonse Legros produced the print shortly after moving to London in 1863, a period when he was instrumental in revitalising British etching. *Farm with a Large Tree* reflects his early British output and was likely circulated among collectors interested in the renewed interest in print media during that decade. Its provenance traces back to Legros’s own workshop before entering museum collections.