Artwork
The Departure
The Departure is an ink drawing by Alphonse Legros. It dates from 1905 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
The Departure is a 1905 drawing by Alphonse Legros, a French-born artist who later became a British citizen. Created with pen, brown ink, and graphite on wove paper, it exemplifies Legros's skill in draftsmanship.
Subject & Meaning
The drawing depicts four figures under a tree in an open field, with one holding a hat and another embracing a child. The scene conveys a sense of departure or leave-taking, set against a subtle background of hills and a small building.
Technique & Style
Legros employed fluid linework, tonal contrasts, and expressive yet controlled draftsmanship to capture the movement and mood of the scene. The use of brown ink wash gives the paper a warm, aged tone, while quick, sketchy strokes convey a sense of spontaneity.
Artist & collection
Artist
Alphonse Legros (French pronunciation: ; 8 May 1837 – 8 December 1911) was a French, later British, painter, etcher, sculptor, and medallist.
