Artwork
Sir Frederic Leighton
Sir Frederic Leighton is an ink print by the Impressionist artist Alphonse Legros. It dates from 1878 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Created circa 1878, this print portrays Sir Frederic Leighton, the eminent British painter and then‑president of the Royal Academy. Executed in black and white, the image presents a side profile of Leighton, his curly hair and full beard rendered with energetic, wavy lines that convey a contemplative expression.
Subject & Meaning
The work functions as a portrait of Leighton, emphasizing his intellectual bearing through the thoughtful tilt of his head and the hand poised near his chin. By focusing on the artist’s profile, the image underscores his status within the Victorian art establishment while inviting viewers to consider the mind behind his celebrated paintings.
Technique & Style
Alphonse Legros employed a combination of etching and drypoint, a process that allows the artist to incise fine, ragged lines directly onto a copper plate. The resulting marks give the hair and beard a textured, almost tactile quality, while the overall line work retains a sense of immediacy and spontaneity characteristic of Legros’s printmaking.
History & Provenance
French‑born Legros settled in London in 1863, later acquiring British citizenship and becoming a pivotal figure in the 19th‑century revival of British etching. His portrait of Leighton reflects this period of renewed interest in the medium, and the print has since been documented as part of Legros’s contributions to print culture in Victorian England.
Artist & collection
Artist
Alphonse Legros (French pronunciation: ; 8 May 1837 – 8 December 1911) was a French, later British, painter, etcher, sculptor, and medallist.
