Artwork
The Prodigal Son, 6th plate (L'enfant prodigue)
The Prodigal Son, 6th plate (L'enfant prodigue) 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 Prodigal Son, 6th plate* in 1874 using a combination of etching and drypoint. The work is a black‑and‑white print that interprets the biblical parable of the prodigal son through Legros’s distinctive, sharply drawn graphic language.
Subject & Meaning
The image presents a weary figure kneeling on a barren, uneven terrain, clutching a curved staff and resting a hand on the head. A solitary sheep lies nearby, while distant hills dissolve into faint, wavy lines beneath a cloudy sky, suggesting both physical exhaustion and a moment of quiet repentance.
Technique & Style
Legros employed the incised lines of drypoint alongside the acid‑etched marks of traditional etching, creating a texture that feels both raw and immediate. The scratchy, uneven strokes emphasize the rough ground and the figure’s fatigue, giving the scene a palpable emotional intensity.
History & Provenance
Born in France, Legros moved to London in 1863 and later naturalised as a British citizen. By the 1870s he was a central figure in the British etching revival, teaching at the Royal Academy and influencing a new generation of printmakers. This plate reflects his commitment to revitalising the medium.
Context
The print belongs to a series of illustrations Legros made of biblical narratives, a popular subject for Victorian artists seeking moral and dramatic content. Its stark monochrome treatment aligns with contemporary interests in realism and the expressive potential of printmaking.
Legacy
Legros’s work, including this plate, contributed to the renewed respect for etching and drypoint in Britain, paving the way for later artists such as James McNeill Whistler and the members of the British Etching Revival.
Artist & collection
Artist
Alphonse Legros (French pronunciation: ; 8 May 1837 – 8 December 1911) was a French, later British, painter, etcher, sculptor, and medallist.
