Who painted Woodcutters, 3rd plate (Les bucherons)?

Woodcutters, 3rd plate (Les bucherons) was painted by Alphonse Legros in 1874.

Where can I see Woodcutters, 3rd plate (Les bucherons)?

Woodcutters, 3rd plate (Les bucherons) is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Woodcutters, 3rd plate (Les bucherons)?

Woodcutters, 3rd plate (Les bucherons) is associated with Romanticism.

Artwork

Woodcutters, 3rd plate (Les bucherons)

Alphonse Legros , 1874

Woodcutters, 3rd plate (Les bucherons) 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

Created in 1874, *Woodcutters, 3rd plate (Les bucherons)* is an etching by Alphonse Legros. The work presents a scene of two laborers hauling a massive log through a dense forest, their strained bodies and tense expressions emphasizing the physical demands of timber work. The composition is rendered with the crisp linear quality typical of the etching medium.

Subject & Meaning

The image focuses on the arduous task of felling trees, highlighting the interaction between human effort and the natural environment. The men’s muscular tension and the surrounding trees’ twisted branches convey a sense of struggle and endurance, suggesting a broader commentary on the labor involved in shaping the landscape.

Technique & Style

Legros employed fine, incisive lines to delineate the weight of the timber and the texture of bark, contrasting the roughness of the forest with the smoother rendering of the figures’ skin. The precise incisions characteristic of etching allow for a clear definition of form and a subtle gradation of tone, creating depth through ink alone.

History & Provenance

Born in France, Legros moved to London in 1863 and later obtained British citizenship. By the 1870s he was active as a painter, sculptor, and printmaker, and his teaching played a pivotal role in the resurgence of etching in Britain. This particular plate reflects his mature period and his commitment to the medium’s revival.