1874
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
Peasants (Paysannes) is a 1874 ink by Alphonse Legros, a Romanticism work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This sketch shows two older women standing side by side, their faces worn and serious. One holds her hands together, while the other rests a hand on a basket at her feet. The lines around them are rough and textured, like tangled brushstrokes or thick hair, giving the whole scene a gritty feel. The artist used a technique that scratches into metal plates to create these deep, uneven lines. It’s not smooth—it looks handmade and raw, almost like the women themselves. If you like this style, look up etching to see how artists carve images into metal.
Alphonse Legros (French pronunciation: ; 8 May 1837 – 8 December 1911) was a French, later British, painter, etcher, sculptor, and medallist.
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