Artwork
Alfred, Lord Tennyson
Alfred, Lord Tennyson 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.
- Inscription
- Inscribed:lower right in graphite: A. Legros; by later hand, lower left in graphite: 407 Tennyson; by later hand, lower left in graphite: 25783-8; by later hand, lower center in graphite: 31 (circled); by later hand, upper left in graphite: 80; by later hand, lower left verso in graphite: a40795; by later hand, lwoer right verso in graphite: [T?]A.
About this work
Overview
Alphonse Legros created a lithograph portrait of Alfred, Lord Tennyson in 1874. The work, executed in black on chine collé, captures the British poet in profile, characterized by loose, expressive lines and textured rendering.
Subject & Meaning
The subject is Alfred, Lord Tennyson, depicted in a contemplative profile. The portrait conveys the poet's age and introspection through deep wrinkles and a long, flowing beard, set beneath a distinctive wide-brimmed hat.
Technique & Style
Legros employed quick, sketchy strokes to achieve a textured, expressive quality, evoking a sense of spontaneity. The rough edges of the paper and the emphasis on capturing feeling over detail align with the aesthetic priorities of the time.
History & Provenance
Created in 1874 by Alphonse Legros, a French-born artist naturalized in Britain, this lithograph reflects his contribution to the revival of etching in 19th-century Britain. Provenance details are not specified.
Context
This work is part of a broader movement in 19th-century art that valued expressive, spontaneous techniques over meticulous detail, influencing both printmaking and broader artistic practices.
Legacy
As part of Legros's oeuvre, the portrait contributes to his legacy in revitalizing etching in Britain, though its specific impact within Tennyson's iconography or Legros's overall body of work is not detailed here.
Own this work as a print
Artist & collection
Artist
Alphonse Legros (French pronunciation:; 8 May 1837 – 8 December 1911) was a French, later British, painter, etcher, sculptor, and medallist.
