Alphonse Legros (1837–1911)

“The Baptism” (“Le Baptème”), 1869, published in London by Holloway and Son in an edition of fifty impressions. The title, “The Baptism”, was changed to “Peasants in Church” in 1870 when the plate was reduced in size for publication in Philip Gilbert Hamerton’s (1834–1894) (ed.), “The Portfolio”.

Etching on fine Japanese paper.

Size: (sheet) 40.7 x 30.3 cm; (plate) 38 x 27.6 cm.

Signed in plate: (lower left corner) “A. Legros.”

State iii (of iv)

Malassis & Thibaudeau 65 (Auguste Poulet-Malassis & Alphonse Wyatt Thibaudeau 1877, “Catalogue raisonné de l'oeuvre gravé et lithographié de M. Alphonse Legros”, Paris, J Baur, pp. 40-41, cat. no. 65, 3^rd state  state [see https://archive.org/details/catalogueraisonn00poul/page/40/mode/2up]).

The British Museum offers the following description of this etching: “Three figures, seen half-length to right, from the painting of the same name in the collection of G Howard; young woman in centre wearing close cap and cloak, her head turned to front and facing downwards, with two reverential men behind. c.1869 Etching with some surface tone, printed on oriental paper” (https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/P_1949-0411-2226).

Condition: a strong and well-printed impression on tissue thin paper. The sheet is in a near pristine condition with no tears, holes, folds, abrasions, stains, foxing or signs of handling.

I am selling this marvellous etching, before it was later reduced in size, showing a baptismal scene from Legros’ painting in the G Howard collection, for the total price of AU$200 (currently US$139.14/EUR136.25/GBP115.62 at the time of posting this listing) including Express Mail postage and handling to anywhere in the world, but not (of course) any import duties/taxes imposed by some countries.

If you are interested in purchasing this spectacularly fine etching—note the artist’s skill in capturing the moment of quiet reflection expressed in the young woman’s face and the piety of the men on either side of her—please contact me (oz_jim@printsandprinciples.com) and I will send you a PayPal invoice to make the payment easy.

This print has been sold