# The Milkmaid of Boulogne

**Alphonse Legros** (French, 1837–1911)  
pen and brown ink  
overall (approximate): 25.9 x 36.5 cm (10 3/16 x 14 3/8 in.)

Courtesy National Gallery of Art, Washington, 1943.3.5499. [The museum's record](https://www.nga.gov/collection/art-object-page.8421.html).

## About this work

Alphonse Legros drew this. It is now at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, DC.

### What you’re looking at

This is a drawing of a person leading a donkey laden with goods. The image depicts a scene with a donkey walking to the left side while being guided by an individual dressed in layered clothing. The donkey is burdened with sacks or baskets that are strapped to its back. The lines and shading are subtle and detailed, capturing the texture of the clothing and fur. The figure and the donkey are positioned on a lightly sketched landscape with a few hints of foliage to the right, suggesting a rural setting. The drawing's simplicity and detail suggest a narrative moment, with a sense of movement and purpose conveyed through the lines.

_Description from the National Gallery of Art._

### How it was made

- **Pen and ink.** Drawn with a quill or reed pen, often with wash added by brush to model light and shadow.

### [Alphonse Legros](https://www.ochreeditions.com/artists/alphonse-legros)

French, 1837–1911

Legros trained in Dijon and Paris, where he befriended Whistler and Fantin-Latour, and in 1863 he settled in London at Whistler’s suggestion. His etchings and paintings of peasants, beggars, monks and forests carry the sober realism of his French training. He became an influential teacher, serving as Slade Professor at University College London from 1876 to 1892, and helped to revive etching and the cast portrait medal in Britain.

_Written by Ochre Editions._

## Facts

- Type: Drawing
- Real size: about 10 × 14 in (26 × 37 cm). The 11 × 14 in print is close to life size.
- Century: 19th century
- Subjects: occupation, Merchant
- Colour: brown
- Rights: public domain (CC0 1.0); free to use for any purpose.

## Get it

- Free download, full resolution: https://img.ochreeditions.com/m/1350.jpg?dl=1
- Image: https://img.ochreeditions.com/a/1350/1920.jpg
- Giclée reproduction on Hahnemühle Photo Rag: 8 × 10 in $28; 11 × 14 in $38; 12 × 16 in $42; 16 × 20 in $56; 18 × 24 in $68; 20 × 30 in $86
- Framed reproduction: 8 × 10 in $78; 11 × 14 in $98; 12 × 16 in $108; 16 × 20 in $138; 18 × 24 in $164; 20 × 30 in $208
- Canvas reproduction: 8 × 10 in $58; 11 × 14 in $72; 12 × 16 in $79; 16 × 20 in $98; 18 × 24 in $118
- Print-ready file: 8 × 10 in $2; 11 × 14 in $2; 12 × 16 in $3; 16 × 20 in $3; 18 × 24 in $3; 20 × 30 in $5

Sizes stop where the museum's file would print below 150 pixels per inch. Everything sold is a reproduction, made to order. [Order a print](https://www.ochreeditions.com/art/the-milkmaid-of-boulogne-nga-8421).