Tête de Philosophe [Head of a Philosopher]: P.14949-R

Acquisition and important dates

Method of acquisition: Given (1879-05-24) by Legros, Alphonse

Dating

19th Century
1877 - ? 1890

Note

Etching with surface tone, printed in dark brown ink on oriental paper over a support of laid paper (chine-collé). Probably a second state as referrred to by Dodgson, who describes an impression of the first state 'with the outline of the shoulders touched in'. Signed in the margin at lower right: 'A. Legros'. The printed number and title given on the mount indicates that this is 'No 192. Tête d'Homme', although it seems to be the case that the print and mount were muddled at some point, as this print corresponds with Legros 184A, Tête de Philosophe. See BM 1907,0424.89. See also BNF 116 = IFF19, Les Deux Têtes, 184, from which 184A was created following redrawing of the plate (left-hand head; the right-hand head was redrawn as 184B, Tête de Marin). One of 20 prints on mounts printed with numbers and titles and contained inside a portfolio half-bound with green cloth (spine and corners) and grey paper and with printed title: 'Eaux-fortes / par Alphonse Legros.'. Acquisition information at lower centre written in pen and ink (probably by John Charrington): 'Given by Prof. A. Legros / 24 May 1879'. The inside of the front board bears the stamp of the London-based mounter and frame-maker, Robert Guéraut who published Legros' etchings after 1863 and who also collected Legros' prints.

School or Style

French