Artwork
The Pigeons
The Pigeons is a graphite 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 ink: "A. Legros 1905".
About this work
Overview
Created in 1905, The Pigeons is a drawing by Alphonse Legros executed with pen and sepia ink layered over a graphite sketch on off‑white wove paper. The work measures a modest size and is part of the National Gallery of Art’s collection in Washington, D.C. It reflects Legros’s mature period after his long residence in Britain.
Subject & Meaning
The composition depicts several figures seated beneath a tree, surrounded by a flock of pigeons. The people wear loose, draped garments, and one figure cradles an infant, suggesting a quiet, domestic moment in an open, natural setting. The presence of the birds adds a subtle narrative of everyday life intertwined with the surrounding landscape.
Technique & Style
Legros employed a graphite underdrawing to establish form before applying pen and sepia ink. The drawing is distinguished by dense cross‑hatching, which builds tonal variation and a tactile sense of surface. The warm sepia tone against the pale paper creates an earthy atmosphere, while the meticulous line work conveys depth and texture throughout the scene.
History & Provenance
Born in France, Legros moved to London in 1863, where he became a central figure in the British etching revival and later a naturalized citizen. After a prolific career as painter, etcher, and sculptor, he produced The Pigeons toward the end of his life. The drawing entered the National Gallery of Art’s holdings, where it remains on view as part of the museum’s drawing collection.
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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.
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