Who painted Sunrise (Un lever de soleil)?

Sunrise (Un lever de soleil) was painted by Alphonse Legros in 1874.

Where can I see Sunrise (Un lever de soleil)?

Sunrise (Un lever de soleil) is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Sunrise (Un lever de soleil)?

Sunrise (Un lever de soleil) is associated with Romanticism.

Can I buy a print of Sunrise (Un lever de soleil)?

Museum-quality prints of Sunrise (Un lever de soleil) are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Sunrise (Un lever de soleil)

Alphonse Legros , 1874

Sunrise (Un lever de soleil) is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Alphonse Legros. It dates from 1874 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Created in 1874, Sunrise (Un lever de soleil) is a black‑and‑white print that captures the quiet moment of dawn over a gentle landscape. The composition balances a luminous sky with silhouetted trees, evoking a calm atmosphere as the first light breaks through the clouds.

Subject & Meaning

The image presents a tranquil early‑morning scene, where the rising sun subtly illuminates the horizon. The sparse foliage and soft horizon suggest a contemplation of nature’s quiet cycles, inviting viewers to pause and reflect on the transition from night to day.

Technique & Style

Legros employed a combination of etching and drypoint, allowing him to render fine lines alongside richer, velvety shadows. The intaglio process creates delicate textures and a sense of depth, while the drypoint adds a slightly burr‑ed quality that enhances the atmospheric mood of the sunrise.

History & Provenance

Born in France and later naturalized in Britain, Legros settled in London in 1863. His move coincided with a renewed interest in printmaking, and Sunrise exemplifies his contribution to the mid‑19th‑century revival of etching in the United Kingdom.

Context

The work aligns with the broader Romantic interest in nature and emotion, though rendered in a restrained, realist manner typical of Legros’s print practice. By integrating technical mastery with a serene subject, the print reflects the period’s dialogue between scientific observation and poetic feeling.