Artwork
Head of a Young Girl (Tete de jeune fille)
Head of a Young Girl (Tete de jeune fille) 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
Head of a Young Girl (Tete de jeune fille) is a drypoint print created by French-born British artist Alphonse Legros in 1874. The work showcases a profile portrait of a young girl, characterized by the distinctive fine lines and textured depth inherent to the drypoint technique.
Subject & Meaning
The print depicts a young girl in profile, her dark hair pulled back and wearing a simple white top. Her downward gaze and quiet expression convey a sense of calm contemplation, evoking a moment of introspective beauty in everyday life.
Technique & Style
Executed in drypoint, the piece leverages the medium's capabilities to achieve bold lines and subtle shading, creating a pronounced sense of texture and depth. The overall aesthetic aligns with the expressive and individualistic tendencies of the Romanticism movement.
History & Provenance
Created in 1874, this work is part of Legros' contributions to the revival of etching in Britain, a movement influenced by his teaching and multi-disciplinary artistic practice (painting, etching, sculpture, and medal design).
Artist & collection
Artist
Alphonse Legros (French pronunciation: ; 8 May 1837 – 8 December 1911) was a French, later British, painter, etcher, sculptor, and medallist.
