Artwork
Portrait of an Old Man
Portrait of an Old Man is an oil painting by the Realist artist Alphonse Legros. It dates from 1874 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
- Inscription
- Inscribed:upper left: A.L.
About this work
Technique & Style
The work's formal qualities consist of a tightly rendered head and hands against a muted background, though the sources do not elaborate on stylistic details.
The Portrait of an Old Man is executed in oil on canvas, a support explicitly noted in the catalog entry. The painting measures 46.7 cm by 38.5 cm, as recorded in the National Gallery of Art's collection data. It belongs to the portrait genre, reflecting Legros's approach to character study in the late nineteenth century.
The work's formal qualities consist of a tightly rendered head and hands against a muted background, though the sources do not elaborate on stylistic details. Handling and condition information are absent from the provided documentation.
History & Provenance
The provenance of Alphonse Legros's Portrait of an Old Man can be traced through a documented chain of ownership beginning with the London dealers P. & D. Colnaghi, Ltd. By 1932 the painting had been acquired from Colnaghi by the New York collector George Matthew Adams (1878–1962), as confirmed by a letter dated 8 June 1932 from Adams to Harold Wright of Colnaghi, held in Special Collections at the University of Glasgow Library, with a copy retained in the National Gallery of Art curatorial files. Adams held the work for fifteen years before transferring it as a gift to the National Gallery of Art in 1947, where it remains in the collection under accession number 1947.17.92.
Overview
Alphonse Legros, a French-born artist who later established himself in Britain, completed Portrait of an Old Man in 1874. This oil on canvas work exemplifies his commitment to Realist principles. The painting presents an unidealized depiction of its subject, reflecting Legros's characteristic focus on direct observation and the authentic representation of individual features within the portrait genre.
Subject & Meaning
The painting features an elderly man, distinguished by his long white beard and hair, dressed in a dark jacket. His gaze is directed towards the left, conveying a sense of quiet contemplation. Legros's approach to this portrait emphasizes the sitter's unique characteristics without embellishment, aligning with the Realist movement's dedication to portraying subjects truthfully rather than idealizing them.
Context
Alphonse Legros was a versatile artist, active as a painter, etcher, and sculptor. Though French by birth, he became a significant figure in the British art scene, notably contributing to the revival of etching in Britain. His artistic output, including this portrait, consistently reflected the Realist movement's values, prioritizing objective observation and an honest depiction of the world.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Alphonse Legros (French pronunciation:; 8 May 1837 – 8 December 1911) was a French, later British, painter, etcher, sculptor, and medallist.
