Sleeper (Un dormeur)
1874
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1874
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
Sleeper (Un dormeur) is a 1874 ink by Alphonse Legros, a Romanticism work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This drawing shows a person curled up asleep, wrapped in a heavy blanket or cloak. Their head is tucked down, and one arm rests on their knees. The lines are scratchy and uneven, almost like quick sketches piled on top of each other. The artist used a technique that leaves behind rough, textured marks—this is how they made the lines look so jagged. The whole piece feels urgent, like it was drawn fast. Next, look up etching to see how artists like Legros made prints like this.
