Artwork
The Departure
The Departure is an ink drawing by Alphonse Legros. It dates from 1905 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
- Inscription
- Inscribed:lower right in brown ink: A. Legros / 1905
About this work
Overview
The Departure is a 1905 drawing by Alphonse Legros, a French-born artist who later became a British citizen. Created with pen, brown ink, and graphite on wove paper, it exemplifies Legros's skill in draftsmanship.
Subject & Meaning
The drawing depicts four figures under a tree in an open field, with one holding a hat and another embracing a child. The scene conveys a sense of departure or leave-taking, set against a subtle background of hills and a small building.
Technique & Style
Legros employed fluid linework, tonal contrasts, and expressive yet controlled draftsmanship to capture the movement and mood of the scene. The use of brown ink wash gives the paper a warm, aged tone, while quick, sketchy strokes convey a sense of spontaneity.
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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.
