Artwork
Study of an Old Man (Etude de vieillard)
Study of an Old Man (Etude de vieillard) 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
Study of an Old Man is an etching created by Alphonse Legros in 1874. Legros was a French-born artist who later became a British citizen and was influential in reviving etching in Britain.
Subject & Meaning
The etching depicts an elderly man with a long white beard and curly hair, his face turned away in a thoughtful expression. The subject is rendered with a focus on capturing the texture and character of the man's features.
Technique & Style
The work showcases Legros's use of etching, a technique that involves scratching a metal plate to create an image. The resulting print features scratchy, dark lines and numerous tiny marks, giving the image a textured feel and conveying the fullness of the subject's hair and beard.
Artist & collection
Artist
Alphonse Legros (French pronunciation: ; 8 May 1837 – 8 December 1911) was a French, later British, painter, etcher, sculptor, and medallist.
