Artwork
Portrait of the Painter Sperl
Portrait of the Painter Sperl is an ink print by the Impressionist artist Wilhelm Leibl. It dates from 1876 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Portrait of the Painter Sperl is an etching on wove paper by Wilhelm Leibl, created around 1876. It is a print that showcases the artist's skill in capturing texture and detail.
Subject & Meaning
The etching depicts a man, likely the painter Sperl, with a distinctive mustache and unruly hair, holding a small object and a pipe. His worn coat and rough surroundings suggest a casual, perhaps informal, portrayal.
Technique & Style
Leibl employed an etching technique that emphasizes texture, creating a rough, scratchy effect. This style was characteristic of late 19th-century printmaking, where artists exploited the medium's expressive potential.
History & Provenance
The print is now held at the National Gallery of Art, Washington, indicating its significance in the art historical canon.
Artist & collection
