Artwork
Supper of the Poor (Le souper chez misere)
Supper of the Poor (Le souper chez misere) 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 *Supper of the Poor* (Le souper chez misère) in 1874. Executed with a combination of etching and dry‑point, the work portrays a modest meal shared by a small group of destitute figures gathered around a rough wooden table in a dimly lit interior.
Subject & Meaning
The composition centers on four individuals—a surprised man, a leaning figure, a woman holding a candle, and a hunched man—who appear caught in a fleeting, intimate moment. The cramped setting, uneven walls and stark lighting emphasize the hardships of poverty while also suggesting a quiet solidarity among the diners.
Technique & Style
Legros employed dry‑point to incise fine, expressive lines into the plate, allowing the texture of worn clothing and the grain of the table to emerge with clarity. The etching component contributes deeper tonal areas, while the overall handling of line is sharp and economical, creating a sense of immediacy and tension within the confined space.
History & Provenance
Born in France and naturalised as a British citizen after moving to London in 1863, Legros was a pivotal figure in the 19th‑century revival of British printmaking. His teaching at the Royal Academy helped re‑establish etching as a respected medium, and *Supper of the Poor* reflects his commitment to socially aware subjects during this period.
Context
The print belongs to a broader Victorian interest in documenting social conditions, particularly the lives of the urban poor. Legros’s choice of a domestic, low‑key scene aligns with contemporary realist tendencies that sought to expose the realities of everyday hardship without romanticisation.
Artist & collection
Artist
Alphonse Legros (French pronunciation: ; 8 May 1837 – 8 December 1911) was a French, later British, painter, etcher, sculptor, and medallist.
