1874
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
Beggars of Brussels (Les mendiants de Bruges) is a 1874 ink by Alphonse Legros, a Romanticism work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This etching shows a crowded group of people huddled together in a dim room. Some sit on the floor while others lean against walls, all dressed in rough, tattered clothes. One person in the center holds a small child, and others reach out as if begging or pleading. The scene feels tense, with faces turned toward each other in a mix of sorrow and urgency. The artist used sharp lines and deep shadows to create a sense of struggle and hardship. The way the figures overlap and press together makes the space feel cramped and chaotic. This is an example of the technique: etching.
Alphonse Legros (French pronunciation: ; 8 May 1837 – 8 December 1911) was a French, later British, painter, etcher, sculptor, and medallist.
See the richer artist pageYour cart is empty
Explore artworks →
![The Slave Market [recto]](https://pub-3a17a9933ad74fb28aa30fa758592f23.r2.dev/artworks/874eb665e814d110/thumb.webp)
