Artwork
The Pigeons
The Pigeons is a graphite drawing by Alphonse Legros. It dates from 1905 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1905, *The Pigeons* is a drawing by Alphonse Legros executed with pen and sepia ink layered over a graphite sketch on off‑white wove paper. The work measures a modest size and is part of the National Gallery of Art’s collection in Washington, D.C. It reflects Legros’s mature period after his long residence in Britain.
Subject & Meaning
The composition depicts several figures seated beneath a tree, surrounded by a flock of pigeons. The people wear loose, draped garments, and one figure cradles an infant, suggesting a quiet, domestic moment in an open, natural setting. The presence of the birds adds a subtle narrative of everyday life intertwined with the surrounding landscape.
Technique & Style
Legros employed a graphite underdrawing to establish form before applying pen and sepia ink. The drawing is distinguished by dense cross‑hatching, which builds tonal variation and a tactile sense of surface. The warm sepia tone against the pale paper creates an earthy atmosphere, while the meticulous line work conveys depth and texture throughout the scene.
History & Provenance
Born in France, Legros moved to London in 1863, where he became a central figure in the British etching revival and later a naturalized citizen. After a prolific career as painter, etcher, and sculptor, he produced *The Pigeons* toward the end of his life. The drawing entered the National Gallery of Art’s holdings, where it remains on view as part of the museum’s drawing collection.
Artist & collection
Artist
Alphonse Legros (French pronunciation: ; 8 May 1837 – 8 December 1911) was a French, later British, painter, etcher, sculptor, and medallist.
Summer (L'ete)
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Spring (Le printemps)
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