Artwork
The Triumph of Death: Battle (Le triomphe de la mort: Le combat)
The Triumph of Death: Battle (Le triomphe de la mort: Le combat) 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
The Triumph of Death: Battle is an 1874 etching by Alphonse Legros, a French-born British artist. The print depicts a chaotic battle scene, characteristic of Legros's engagement with narrative and allegorical themes within the historical painting genre.
Subject & Meaning
The etching portrays intense conflict: soldiers armed with swords and spears clash amidst fallen bodies, set against a turbulent, dark sky. The composition conveys a sense of turmoil and mortality.
Technique & Style
Executed in etching, the work utilizes sharp lines to capture dynamic movement and tension. This technique involves acid biting into a metal plate to create the image, resulting in the print's expressive, scratched appearance.
History & Provenance
Created in 1874, the etching reflects Legros's role in the British etching revival. As an artist and teacher, Legros influenced the medium's popularity in Britain after his relocation to London in 1863.
Artist & collection
Artist
Alphonse Legros (French pronunciation: ; 8 May 1837 – 8 December 1911) was a French, later British, painter, etcher, sculptor, and medallist.
