Artwork
In the Forest of Fontainebleau (Dans le foret de Fontainebleau)
In the Forest of Fontainebleau (Dans le foret de Fontainebleau) 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
In the Forest of Fontainebleau is a 1874 print by Alphonse Legros, a French artist who later worked in Britain. It is executed in etching and drypoint techniques.
Subject & Meaning
The print depicts a dense forest scene, likely inspired by the natural landscape of Fontainebleau. The tangled trees and underbrush create a quiet, immersive atmosphere, with light struggling to penetrate the canopy.
Technique & Style
Legros employed drypoint and etching to achieve a textured, rough effect. The technique involves scraping ink into a metal plate, resulting in lines that evoke the natural world, such as the roughness of bark or the delicacy of leaves.
History & Provenance
Legros created this work after relocating to London in 1863, where he contributed to a revival of etching in Britain. The print dates to 1874, a period when his artistic practice encompassed painting, sculpture, and printmaking.
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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.
