Artwork
Thatched Cottage (Chaumiere)
Thatched Cottage (Chaumiere) 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
Thatched Cottage (Chaumiere) is a 1874 print by Alphonse Legros, a French-born artist who later became a British citizen. The work combines etching and drypoint techniques with ink retouching.
Subject & Meaning
The print depicts a rural scene featuring a thatched-roof cottage with rough walls, surrounded by scraggly bushes and dry grass. A tree stands in front of the house, rendered in quick, scratchy lines that convey a sense of spontaneity.
Technique & Style
Legros employed intaglio techniques, specifically etching and drypoint, to achieve a textured effect. The scratchy lines and rough texture suggest a rapid study, capturing the scene with immediacy.
History & Provenance
Alphonse Legros settled in London in 1863 and later became a British citizen. He played a significant role in reviving etching in Britain through his teaching and artistic practice.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Alphonse Legros (French pronunciation: ; 8 May 1837 – 8 December 1911) was a French, later British, painter, etcher, sculptor, and medallist.
Shepherd's Hut on a Hillside (Bergerie sur le coteau)
Sketch of Landscape with Cottage
Hovel on a Hillside (Masure sur la colline)
Shepherd's Hut on a Hillside (Bergerie sur le coteau)
Birch Trees along the Water (Les bouleaux: Bord de l'eau)
The Ness, Shaldon, Devon
Hovel on a Hillside (Masure sur la colline)
Rustic Scene (Scene rustique)
Little Shelter (Le petit hangar)