Artwork
Landscape along a Riverbank with a Figure
Landscape along a Riverbank with a Figure is an ink drawing by Alphonse Legros. It dates from 1905 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Alphonse Legros’ 1905 drawing titled Landscape along a Riverbank with a Figure depicts a solitary individual seated beside a gently curving river. Executed on laid paper, the work combines a brown wash, pen and ink, and underlying graphite sketches, creating a muted tonal atmosphere.
Subject & Meaning
The composition centers on a lone figure positioned at the water’s edge, suggesting a moment of quiet contemplation within a natural setting. The river’s soft bend and the figure’s relaxed posture convey a sense of stillness and introspection.
Technique & Style
Legros employs a layered approach: initial graphite outlines are softened by a brown wash that pools in subtle shadows, while pen and ink add definition to the landscape’s forms. The limited palette and restrained line work reflect the artist’s familiarity with printmaking and his skill in rendering light on paper.
History & Provenance
Created in 1905, the drawing entered the collection of the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., where it remains part of the museum’s holdings of early twentieth‑century works on paper.
Artist & collection
Artist
Alphonse Legros (French pronunciation: ; 8 May 1837 – 8 December 1911) was a French, later British, painter, etcher, sculptor, and medallist.
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