Alphonse Legros’ etching, “Peasants in Church”, 1869

Alphonse Legros (1837–1911)

“Peasants in Church” (originally titled “Le Baptème” [“The Baptism”] before reduction in the plate size), 1869, published in London by Seeley Jackson and Halliday in Philip Gilbert Hamerton’s (1834–1894) (ed.) annual, “The Portfolio”, 1870, page 140. Note that this plate was originally larger, but Legros cut it to fit Hamerton’s publication with loss of the lower section and Legros’ signature.

Etching on wove paper.

Size: (sheet) 24.5 x 34.6 cm; (plate) 21.6 x 27.6 cm; (image borderline) 20.8 x 27 cm.

State iv (of iv) with reduction in the size of the plate for publication in “The Portfolio”.

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, 4^th state [see https://archive.org/details/catalogueraisonn00poul/page/40/mode/2up]).

The British Museum offers the following description of this etching before it was reduced in size: “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” (https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/P_1949-0411-2226).

Condition: a strong and well-printed (almost faultless) impression. Beyond a small mark verso, the sheet is in a near pristine condition with no tears, holes, folds, abrasions, significant stains, foxing or signs of handling.

I am selling this marvellous etching showing a section of a baptismal scene from Legros’ painting in the G Howard collection for the total price of AU$298 (currently US$206.19/EUR202.11/GBP172.05 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