Artwork

Little Burner of Grass (Le petit bruleur d'herbe)

Little Burner of Grass (Le petit bruleur d'herbe), by Alphonse Legros, ink, 1874
Little Burner of Grass (Le petit bruleur d'herbe), by Alphonse Legros, ink, 1874

Little Burner of Grass (Le petit bruleur d'herbe) 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

Little Burner of Grass (Le petit bruleur d'herbe) is a print created by Alphonse Legros in 1874 using etching and drypoint techniques.

Subject & Meaning

The print depicts a serene hillside scene with a small house and trees, rendered in loose, expressive lines that convey a sense of spontaneity. The uneven terrain and patches of grass and shadow add to the naturalistic atmosphere.

Technique & Style

Legros employed drypoint to achieve fine lines and textured effects, resulting in a sketch-like quality that suggests a rapid study rather than a highly finished work.

History & Provenance

Alphonse Legros, a French-born artist who later settled in Britain, was a key figure in the British etching revival, teaching and promoting the medium throughout his career.

Artist & collection

Portrait of Alphonse Legros

Artist

Alphonse Legros

Alphonse Legros (French pronunciation: ; 8 May 1837 – 8 December 1911) was a French, later British, painter, etcher, sculptor, and medallist.

This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: National Gallery of Art open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.