Cardinal Manning, 2nd plate 

Alphonse Legros made this portrait of Cardinal Manning using graphite, a material as humble as it is versatile. Look closely and you’ll see how Legros coaxes a full range of tonal variation from the pencil’s naturally metallic sheen. The sharp, controlled lines define the Cardinal’s prominent nose and stern expression, while softer, smudged areas give volume to his robes. Legros was a master of line, but also understood the broader social implications of his art. Graphite, of course, is nothing more than processed carbon. From the mines where it was extracted, to the factories where it was formed into pencils, to the artist’s hand, it passed through a chain of production that defined the modern era. Legros elevates this everyday material to capture the gravitas of his sitter, reminding us that even the simplest materials can be imbued with great dignity through skilled work.