Artwork
Head of an Old Man (Etude de tete)
Head of an Old Man (Etude de tete) 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 an Old Man (Etude de tete) is a drypoint print created by Alphonse Legros in 1874. It is a detailed study of an elderly man's head, showcasing the artist's skill with the intaglio technique.
Subject & Meaning
The print presents a close-up view of an older man's face and beard, with his eyes obscured by shadow and his hair curling around his head. The loose, scratchy lines convey a sense of spontaneity and immediacy.
Technique & Style
Legros employed the drypoint technique, scratching directly into a metal plate to create the image. This method produces a characteristic grainy, textured appearance due to the ink filling the grooves.
Artist & collection
Artist
Alphonse Legros (French pronunciation: ; 8 May 1837 – 8 December 1911) was a French, later British, painter, etcher, sculptor, and medallist.
