Artwork
German Forest, Downley
German Forest, Downley 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
German Forest, Downley is an 1874 etching by Alphonse Legros, a French-born artist active in Britain, known for his multifaceted practice in painting, etching, sculpture, and medallic art, and his role in the British etching revival.
Subject & Meaning
The print depicts a dense, dark forest with thick, gnarled trees and branches, characterized by deep shadows and minimal light penetration through the canopy, evoking a sense of somberness and natural density.
Technique & Style
Executed in etching, the work features scratchy, uneven lines, typical of the medium's expressive capabilities. The technique, which involves ink in carved lines, produces a rough, textured appearance, prioritizing mood and atmosphere over precise detail, in line with 19th-century etching aesthetics.
History & Provenance
Created in 1874 by Alphonse Legros, the etching is part of his contributions to the British etching revival, a movement he supported through both his artwork and teaching.
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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.
Corner of a Wood (Coin d'un bois)
Corner of a Wood (Coin d'un bois)
In the Woods
Corner of a Wood (Coin d'un Bois)
Corner of a Wood (Coin d'un bois)
In the Forest of Conteville (Dans la foret de Conteville)
Study of tree stems at King George's Hill, Abinger
Edge of a Brook (Bord de ruisseau)
In the Forest of Conteville (Dans la foret de Conteville)
In the Forest (Lisiere de foret)
In the Forest (Lisiere de foret)
In the Forest at Conteville