1874
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
Women of Brussels (Femmes de Bruges) is a 1874 ink by Alphonse Legros, a Romanticism work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This sketch shows three women walking together, their long dresses and head coverings blending into loose, flowing lines. The artist used quick, scratchy marks to suggest movement and fabric, leaving little detail on their faces. The background is almost empty, keeping all focus on their shapes and the way they move as a group. The rough, textured lines come from the artist’s use of etching and drypoint, where the needle carves directly into the metal plate. This technique lets ink fill the grooves, creating a grainy, expressive look that feels urgent and alive. Want to see more like this? Check out technique: etching, drypoint, aquatint.
Alphonse Legros (French pronunciation: ; 8 May 1837 – 8 December 1911) was a French, later British, painter, etcher, sculptor, and medallist.
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