Self-Portrait, 13th plate 1906

Editor: So, this is Alphonse Legros' "Self-Portrait, 13th plate," from 1906. It appears to be an etching, or some kind of print. The figure's captured in profile. It's such a striking, somewhat melancholic piece. I'm curious, what strikes you most when you look at it? Curator: Melancholy… yes, that’s a good word. It reminds me a little of an old photograph, something almost spectral, pulled from a forgotten attic. The incredible detail, achieved through etching, makes me wonder about Legros' state of mind. Do you think it conveys something beyond a simple likeness? Editor: Absolutely. There's a certain weight to the gaze, even though we don't see the eyes directly. A weariness, perhaps? Or is it just wisdom etched onto his face? Curator: Or maybe it's Legros contemplating his legacy. The hatching technique he employed - layers upon layers of fine lines - mirrors, perhaps, the layering of experiences that shape a life. It’s not just about replicating a face; it's about rendering a soul, wouldn't you say? Editor: I think so, and that density of line, gives it almost a sculptural quality too. Like you could reach out and feel the texture of his beard. Curator: Indeed! Etching offers such fascinating tactility on a two-dimensional surface. What stories do you think those lines are trying to tell? Editor: That the man beneath the surface, under the hat and beard, is infinitely complex and has a rich story? He almost appears to be from a different era, a phantom of art history. Curator: Precisely. Maybe Legros wanted to remind us that every portrait is, in a way, a haunting, an echo of someone who once was, captured in a single, enduring image. This piece definitely stayed with me; those lines speak volumes, I might try etching myself… Editor: That sounds fantastic! I'm looking at this piece through completely new eyes. The detail and character Alphonse captured is striking and now has my wheels spinning with new understanding.