The Prodigal Son, 2nd plate (L'enfant prodigue)
1874
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1874
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
The Prodigal Son, 2nd plate (L'enfant prodigue) is a 1874 ink by Alphonse Legros, a Romanticism work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This sketch shows a dark, tangled forest with gnarled trees and rough ground. The lines are scratchy and uneven, like someone drew fast. Light fades in the distance, leaving the trees shadowy and thick. The artist used a sharp tool to carve into the metal plate, creating deep lines for texture. This kind of drawing was often used to show emotion in landscapes. Check out how etching works to see how artists like this made their marks.
