Artwork
Farmer Reclining (Le fermier au repos)
Farmer Reclining (Le fermier au repos) 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
Farmer Reclining (Le fermier au repos) is an etching retouched with pen, created by Alphonse Legros in 1874. This print captures a serene farm scene, characterized by a wooden fence leaning against a bushy tree, with a rough, grassy ground and distant buildings on an open field.
Subject & Meaning
The subject of Farmer Reclining is a tranquil rural setting, conveyed through simple, everyday elements. The composition reflects Legros's focus on figurative themes during this period, though the farmer themselves is not the central visual element, suggesting a broader emphasis on the natural, pastoral environment.
Technique & Style
Legros employed quick, sketchy lines to draw the scene, indicating a rapid execution, almost akin to a spontaneous observational note. The etching technique, combined with pen retouching, adds depth and expressiveness to the print, showcasing Legros's mastery of printmaking.
History & Provenance
Created in 1874, Farmer Reclining falls within Legros's prolific period in London, where he had settled in 1863 and later gained British citizenship. As an educator, Legros significantly contributed to the revival of etching in Britain.
Context
This work is part of Legros's broader engagement with printmaking and figurative art in the 1870s. It reflects his ability to work across mediums (painting, etching, sculpture, medallic art) while maintaining a consistent interest in capturing everyday life and landscapes.
Artist & collection
Artist
Alphonse Legros (French pronunciation: ; 8 May 1837 – 8 December 1911) was a French, later British, painter, etcher, sculptor, and medallist.
