Frederic Regamey 

This is Alphonse Legros's graphite rendering of Frederic Regamey. The portrait is a study in contrasts, using sparse yet deliberate strokes to define form and character. Legros masterfully employs hatching and cross-hatching to sculpt Regamey's profile. The linear quality of the strokes builds volume, suggesting depth and a tangible presence. Notice how the stark lines of the suit juxtapose the softer, more diffuse rendering of the face, creating a visual tension that animates the composition. The simplicity of means here echoes the aesthetic concerns of the time, where artists sought to distill the essence of their subjects through direct, unadorned representation. This work challenges the established notions of portraiture, moving away from idealization toward an exploration of the individual's inherent qualities. The portrait offers us not just a likeness, but also a semiotic space where meanings are constructed through line, light, and form.