Who painted Rest along the Banks of the River (Repos au bord de la riviere)?

Rest along the Banks of the River (Repos au bord de la riviere) was painted by Alphonse Legros in 1874.

Where can I see Rest along the Banks of the River (Repos au bord de la riviere)?

Rest along the Banks of the River (Repos au bord de la riviere) is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Rest along the Banks of the River (Repos au bord de la riviere)?

Rest along the Banks of the River (Repos au bord de la riviere) is associated with Romanticism.

Can I buy a print of Rest along the Banks of the River (Repos au bord de la riviere)?

Museum-quality prints of Rest along the Banks of the River (Repos au bord de la riviere) are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Rest along the Banks of the River (Repos au bord de la riviere)

Alphonse Legros , 1874

Rest along the Banks of the River (Repos au bord de la riviere) 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

Alphonse Legros produced the print *Rest along the Banks of the River* in 1874. Executed with a combination of etching and drypoint, the work presents a solitary traveler seated beside a river, shaded by a stand of tall trees. The composition is rendered in brisk, sketch‑like lines that convey a sense of immediacy and quiet repose within a natural setting.

Subject & Meaning

The image focuses on a single figure pausing on the riverbank, his hat and bundled belongings suggesting a journey interrupted for rest. The surrounding reeds and branches are suggested rather than detailed, emphasizing the figure’s isolation amid a wild, untamed landscape. The scene invites contemplation of the fleeting moments of stillness that occur within continual movement.

Technique & Style

The resulting texture is lively, with the drypoint’s burr creating soft, velvety shadows that contrast with the sharper etched outlines of the trees and water.

Legros employed both traditional etching and the more direct drypoint method, allowing him to juxtapose fine, incised lines with broader, more spontaneous marks. The resulting texture is lively, with the drypoint’s burr creating soft, velvety shadows that contrast with the sharper etched outlines of the trees and water. This hybrid approach reflects a late‑19th‑century interest in capturing atmospheric effects over polished finish.

History & Provenance

Born in France, Legros relocated to London in 1863 and later acquired British citizenship, becoming a central figure in the revival of British printmaking. As a teacher at the Royal Academy Schools, he promoted the etching medium to a new generation of artists. *Rest along the Banks of the River* remains a representative example of his printmaking output from the mid‑1870s.