Artwork
Old Man
Old Man is a silver drawing 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
Created in 1874, *Old Man* is a silverpoint drawing on prepared paper by Alphonse Legros. The French-born artist had settled in Britain by the early 1860s and was active in several media, including painting, etching, sculpture and medal work. This work exemplifies his interest in drawing as a disciplined, linear practice.
Subject & Meaning
The composition presents a solitary elderly figure, rendered with a restrained, observational approach. The sitter’s aged features and contemplative posture invite reflection on the passage of time and the dignity of age, themes frequently explored in 19th‑century academic drawing.
Technique & Style
Legros employed silverpoint, a medium that deposits fine metallic particles onto a specially prepared surface, producing delicate, permanent lines. The drawing’s precision and subtle tonal variations showcase the artist’s control of line and his ability to convey texture and volume without the use of pigment.
History & Provenance
Legros produced the work shortly after establishing himself in London, where he contributed to the revival of etching and drawing instruction. The drawing has remained in private collections since its creation, with no record of exhibition until recent scholarly interest in his British period.
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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.
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