Artwork
Sir E.J. Poynter, P.R.A.
Sir E.J. Poynter, P.R.A. is an ink print by the Impressionist artist Alphonse Legros. It dates from 1877 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1877, this print presents a close‑up portrait of Sir Edward John Poynter, a leading British painter and former President of the Royal Academy.
Created in 1877, this print presents a close‑up portrait of Sir Edward John Poynter, a leading British painter and former President of the Royal Academy. Executed in a combination of etching and drypoint, the image captures the sitter’s thick beard, short hair and high‑collared shirt against a plain, lightly marked background. The artist’s signature appears twice, underscoring the work’s authorship.
Subject & Meaning
The portrait depicts Sir Edward John Poynter, a prominent figure in Victorian art administration, emphasizing his dignified bearing through a slightly turned head and direct gaze. The restrained composition and minimal backdrop focus attention on Poynter’s facial features, suggesting a study of character and status rather than narrative embellishment.
Technique & Style
Alphonse Legros employed both etching and drypoint to achieve a textured, scratchy surface. Etching provided fine, controlled lines for the facial details, while drypoint added richer, velvety strokes that enhance the beard and shirt collar. The faint cross‑hatching in the background serves only to suggest space without detracting from the figure.
History & Provenance
Born in France and naturalised as a British citizen after moving to London in 1863, Legros was instrumental in the 19th‑century revival of British printmaking. His teaching at the Royal Academy helped re‑establish etching as a respected medium, and this portrait stands as an example of his influence on the period’s artistic practice.
Context
The work emerges from a period when British art institutions, notably the Royal Academy, sought to reaffirm their cultural authority. By portraying its president, Legros not only honored a colleague but also aligned himself with the Academy’s efforts to promote traditional techniques such as etching and drypoint within academic curricula.
Artist & collection
Artist
Alphonse Legros (French pronunciation: ; 8 May 1837 – 8 December 1911) was a French, later British, painter, etcher, sculptor, and medallist.
