Portrait of Edward D. Adams 1892

Alphonse Legros created this print, *Portrait of Edward D. Adams*, using etching and drypoint. Legros, a French-born artist working in Britain, captures Adams, an American businessman and art collector, with a gaze that is both intense and introspective. The late 19th century saw the rise of industrial capitalism and with it, new social hierarchies. Adams, a symbol of American financial power, is depicted here with a reserved elegance that speaks to his social position. The medium of etching, with its detailed lines, lends a sense of gravitas to the portrait, reflecting the subject's status and character. Legros, who came from a humble background, often portrayed the working class, but also gained commissions from the wealthy. This portrait complicates notions of class identity and representation, showing how artists navigated the social landscape of their time. It invites us to consider the relationship between artist and patron, and the ways in which portraiture can both reflect and shape social perceptions.