Artwork
Sleeping Beggar (Mendiant endormi)
Sleeping Beggar (Mendiant endormi) 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
Sleeping Beggar (Mendiant endormi) is a print created by Alphonse Legros in 1874 using etching and drypoint techniques. Legros was a French-born artist who later became a British citizen and played a significant role in reviving etching in Britain.
Subject & Meaning
The print depicts a bearded man sleeping on the ground, his head resting on his arm and legs stretched out awkwardly. The dark background contains vague shapes resembling furniture or a wall, adding to the scene's somber atmosphere.
Technique & Style
Legros employed etching and drypoint to achieve a raw, textured effect. Drypoint created deep, jagged marks, giving the lines a carved appearance. The scratchy and uneven lines contribute to the overall somber and rough feel of the image.
History & Provenance
Alphonse Legros settled in London in 1863 and later became a British citizen. As a versatile artist working across painting, sculpture, and printmaking, he was influential in teaching and reviving etching in Britain.
Artist & collection
Artist
Alphonse Legros (French pronunciation: ; 8 May 1837 – 8 December 1911) was a French, later British, painter, etcher, sculptor, and medallist.
