Who painted The Plow (La charrue)?

The Plow (La charrue) was painted by Alphonse Legros in 1874.

Where can I see The Plow (La charrue)?

The Plow (La charrue) is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is The Plow (La charrue)?

The Plow (La charrue) is associated with Romanticism.

Can I buy a print of The Plow (La charrue)?

Museum-quality prints of The Plow (La charrue) are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

The Plow (La charrue)

Alphonse Legros , 1874

The Plow (La charrue) 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’ print *The Plow* (La charrue) was produced in 1874 as an etching. The work presents a compact, low‑angle view of two agricultural workers struggling with a wooden plow across a furrowed field. The composition concentrates on the physicality of the task, emphasizing the weight of the implement and the labor‑intensive nature of 19th‑century farming.

Subject & Meaning

The image isolates a pair of laborers bent over the earth, their backs turned toward the viewer, embodying the anonymity of rural toil. By focusing on the strain in their shoulders and the roughness of the soil, Legros draws attention to the dignity and hardship inherent in manual agriculture, offering a quiet commentary on the social realities of his time.

Technique & Style

Legros employs the traditional etching process, using incised lines and varied cross‑hatching to model volume and texture. The marks are deliberately swift and uneven, conveying the immediacy of the workers’ effort. Subtle tonal gradations created by acid‑bite and manual scratching render the ground’s uneven surface and the muscular tension of the figures.

History & Provenance

The print has since been held in several public collections, illustrating Legros’ lasting influence on Anglo‑French printmaking.

Born in France, Legros relocated to London in 1863, where he became a central figure in the British revival of etching. *The Plow* emerged during this period of renewed interest in the medium, reflecting his commitment to both technical mastery and socially conscious subject matter. The print has since been held in several public collections, illustrating Legros’ lasting influence on Anglo‑French printmaking.