Study of the Head of a Man Reading (Etude de tete d'homme lisant) 

Alphonse Legros’s “Study of the Head of a Man Reading” is a powerful etching in which the artist captures the focused concentration of an aged man engrossed in his book. The work is executed with a masterful economy of line, suggesting volume and texture with minimal detail. The subject’s bowed head, prominent nose, and long, flowing beard convey an air of contemplative thought. The use of cross-hatching creates a sense of depth, while the stark contrasts between light and shadow enhance the overall sense of realism. This etching is a poignant example of Legros's talent for capturing the human form, often exploring themes of aging and solitude.