Portrait of an Old Man

Alphonse Legros' Portrait of an Old Man reflects the French-born, London-based artist's sustained interest in character studies of elderly figures that descend from the tradition of Rembrandt. Legros was a friend of Whistler and Fantin-Latour who became an influential figure in British art education as Slade Professor at University College London. His portraits and figure studies combine French Realist observation with Old Master technique.

Legros' oil-on-canvas technique demonstrates his characteristically dark, tonal palette with the figure emerging from shadow in the manner of Rembrandt and the Spanish masters. The broad, confident brushwork and focused attention on the aged face reflect his Realist training and Old Master sensibility.