Artwork
Footbridge (La passerelle)
Footbridge (La passerelle) 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
Footbridge (La passerelle) is an 1874 etching by Alphonse Legros, a French artist who relocated to Britain. This work exemplifies his contributions to the revival of etching in Britain, a medium he actively explored after his 1863 move to London.
Subject & Meaning
The etching depicts a serene forest scene featuring a small footbridge over a tranquil stream, surrounded by densely branched trees, bushes, and rocks. The composition conveys a sense of natural tranquility.
Technique & Style
Legros employed fine etching lines to achieve detailed, soft textures of leaves and bark, characteristic of quick, observational studies of nature. This approach highlights his skill in capturing subtle natural elements through the etching process.
History & Provenance
Created in 1874, during Legros's productive period in London, *Footbridge* reflects his pivotal role in Britain's etching revival. Specific provenance details are not provided.
Context
As part of Legros's etching work, *Footbridge* sits within the broader context of 19th-century British art's renewed interest in printmaking, influenced by French techniques.
Artist & collection
Artist
Alphonse Legros (French pronunciation: ; 8 May 1837 – 8 December 1911) was a French, later British, painter, etcher, sculptor, and medallist.
