Artwork
Head of an Old Man with a Wide-Brimmed Hat
Head of an Old Man with a Wide-Brimmed Hat is an ink drawing by the Romanticist artist Alphonse Legros. It dates from 1874 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art. Created in 1874, this pen-and-brown-ink drawing on laid paper presents a close‑up study of an elderly figure.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1874, this pen-and-brown-ink drawing on laid paper presents a close‑up study of an elderly figure. The composition isolates the man's face and a low‑slung, wide‑brimmed hat, emphasizing texture and expression through meticulous line work rather than colour.
Subject & Meaning
The portrait captures an aged man with a thick, wavy beard and half‑closed eyes, his features softened by the shadow of a broad hat. The subdued demeanor and the intimate scale suggest a study of character and the passage of time, focusing on the human face as a vessel of experience.
Technique & Style
Legros employs fine, intersecting strokes—cross‑hatching—to build tonal variation, allowing the ink to suggest skin texture and depth. The precise, expressive lines create a chiaroscuro effect that defines the contours of the beard, cheekbones, and hat brim, demonstrating the artist’s command of line as a modeling tool.
History & Provenance
Alphonse Legros, a French‑born artist who later settled in Britain and became a naturalised citizen, produced this work during a period when he was actively promoting the revival of etching and drawing in the United Kingdom. Known for his teaching at the Slade School, Legros’s drawings from this decade reflect his broader interest in drawing as a foundational practice for painters and printmakers.
Artist & collection
Artist
Alphonse Legros (French pronunciation: ; 8 May 1837 – 8 December 1911) was a French, later British, painter, etcher, sculptor, and medallist.
