1874
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
Death and the Woodcutter, 3rd plate (La mort et le bucheron) is a 1874 ink by Alphonse Legros, a Romanticism work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This sketch shows two figures tangled in a forest. One person lies on the ground, arms outstretched, while another stands over them, holding a large axe. The trees around them are drawn with sharp, tangled lines, making the scene feel wild and chaotic. Shadows and textures fill the whole image, giving it a rough, almost scratchy look. The standing figure’s face is hidden, but their posture suggests they’re about to strike. The fallen person’s expression is calm, almost peaceful, despite the danger. The artist used lines to show movement and emotion, not just shapes. Next, look up etching to see how this technique creates such detailed textures.
Alphonse Legros (French pronunciation: ; 8 May 1837 – 8 December 1911) was a French, later British, painter, etcher, sculptor, and medallist.
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