Portrait of an Old Man

Alphonse Legros

Associated Names
Alphonse Legros

Artist, French, 1837 - 1911

This painting shows a close-up of an older man's face with part of his shoulders visible. He is positioned in a three-quarter view, slightly turned to his left, his eyes looking up. The man has pale skin and a full, bushy gray beard and thick, gray hair combed back. His facial features include deep-set eyes, ruddy cheeks, a long nose, and thin lips mostly obscured by his facial hair. His skin has been painted with visible, thick brushstrokes, creating swirling lines. His clothing appears dark and blends into the dark gray background. There is a hint of gray at the bottom, suggesting a gray shirt or tie under a black jacket.

Media Options

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Artwork overview


Artwork history & notes

Provenance

(P. & D. Colnaghi, Ltd., London); sold by 1932 to George Matthew Adams [1878-1962], New York;[1] gift 1947 to NGA.
[1] See the letter dated 8 June 1932 from Adams to Harold Wright of Colnaghi (original in MS Wright, Special Collections, University of Glasgow Library, Scotland; copy in NGA curatorial files).

Associated Names

Bibliography

1965

  • Summary Catalogue of European Paintings and Sculpture. National Gallery of Art, Washington, 1965: 74.

1968

  • National Gallery of Art. European Paintings and Sculpture, Illustrations. Washington, 1968: 65, repro.

1975

  • European Paintings: An Illustrated Summary Catalogue. National Gallery of Art, Washington, 1975: 190, repro.

1985

  • European Paintings: An Illustrated Catalogue. National Gallery of Art, Washington, 1985: 223, repro.

Inscriptions

upper left: A.L.

Wikidata ID

Q20186251

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