1874
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
The Prodigal Son, 3rd plate (L'enfant prodigue) is a 1874 ink by Alphonse Legros, a Romanticism work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This sketch shows a tired, barefoot man walking through tall grass. He’s shirtless, his back turned, and one arm raised as if reaching for something. His hair is messy, and he looks worn out, carrying a bundle of sticks over his shoulder. The rough lines and shading suggest the artist focused on texture—grass, skin, even the man’s wrinkled clothes. This style was common in etchings, where the plate’s surface creates deep shadows. Check out etching, drypoint, aquatint to see how artists like Legros made these detailed prints.
Alphonse Legros (French pronunciation: ; 8 May 1837 – 8 December 1911) was a French, later British, painter, etcher, sculptor, and medallist.
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