Alphonse Legros’ drypoint, “Large Spaniard”, c1872

Alphonse Legros (1837–1911)

“Large Spaniard” (aka “Le Grand Espagnol”; “Vieillard” [as titled on plate]; Old Man”), c1872, printed by François Liénard (fl.c1860s–1880s) from the “collection of Mr Andrew” (as inscribed on the plate).

Drypoint with pale plate tone on laid paper.

Size: (sheet) 41.8 x 32.4 cm; (plate) 35.7 x 27.9 cm; (image borderline) 29.4 x 23.6 cm.

Inscribed on plate within the image borderline: (upper left) “A Legros”.

Lettered on plate above the image borderline: (centre) “A. Legros”.

Lettered on plate below the image borderline: (left) A. Legros. pinx et sculp.”; (centre) F Lienard. Imp./ Vieillard.”; (right of centre) “Collection de Mr. Andrew.”

State iii (of iii) with the addition of lettered title and publication details. I understand that the printing plate has been cancelled.

Bliss 28iii (Frank E Bliss 1928, “A catalogue of the etchings, drypoints and lithographs, by Professor Alphonse Legros (1837-1911) in the collection of Frank E. Bliss”, London, Printed for private circulation, p. 6, cat. no. 28, state iii; see https://archive.org/details/LegrosEtchings/page/n35/mode/2up).

See also the description and marvellous insights about this print offered by Te Papa (Museum of New Zealand): https://collections.tepapa.govt.nz/object/39007.

Condition: a strong and well-printed impression with wide margins. There is a thin area in the margin at lower left, otherwise the sheet is in an excellent condition with no tears, holes, folds, significant stains or foxing.

I am selling this beautiful and freely executed drypoint of an elderly gentleman of noble bearing, wearing a Pañosa—the traditional Spanish cloak—for the total cost of AU$270 (currently US$208.22/EUR173.64/GBP149.86 at the time of this listing) including Express Mail (EMS) postage and handling to anywhere in the world, but not (of course) any import duties/taxes imposed by some countries.

If you are interested in purchasing this masterfully drawn portrait based on a painting that Legros had no doubt executed in his usual two-hour time interval—note that Legros famously embarked on tours demonstrating his two-hour portraits "before invited audiences of art students and local worthies in Sunderland, Manchester, Aberdeen, and Liverpool’’ (Oxford Dictionary of National Biography), please contact me (oz_jim@printsandprinciples.com) and I will send you a PayPal invoice to make the payment easy.