Artwork
Florestan Mionnet
Florestan Mionnet 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
Florestan Mionnet is a drypoint print created by Alphonse Legros in 1874. The work is a portrait of a bearded man, executed in a technique characterized by scratchy, textured lines.
Subject & Meaning
The portrait depicts Florestan Mionnet, a figure about whom little is known. The subject is shown with a serious expression, wearing a high-collared coat, and is set against a dark, textured background that emphasizes his face and shoulders.
Technique & Style
The drypoint technique used by Legros involves scratching a needle directly into a metal plate, resulting in a richly textured image with a gritty, urgent feel. The artist's use of quick, scratchy lines builds up the portrait, capturing the subject's features with a sense of immediacy.
History & Provenance
Alphonse Legros, a French-born artist who became a British citizen, created Florestan Mionnet during the British etching revival, a movement in which he played a significant teaching role. The work reflects his engagement with printmaking during this period.
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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.
