Le Baptème (The Baptism). Etching in black ink on off-white paper; 81/8 x 103/4 inches (20.6 x 27.4 cm) –image size. Click on image to enlarge it.
The sacrament of baptism features prominently in the art of Legros. He exhibited his painting A Baptism at the Grosvenor Gallery in 1877, no. 80. This print, listed as Peasants in Church, was published in The Portfolio in September 1870, no. 9, on page 140. It is far simpler in composition to the multi figure painting originally owned by George Howard. The etching features just three figures, seen bust-length to the right, and the actual baptism ceremony is not visualised unlike in the painting. A young woman is in in the centre, wearing a white cap and a dark cloak, her head turned to the front and facing downwards with half-closed eyes. Two reverential men in profile to the right stand behind her, one with clasped hands. The same young woman seen in the etching features prominently in the oil version of A Baptism, but here she is facing to the left and kneeling.
Bibliography
Colvin, Sidney. “The Etchings of M. Alphonse Legros.” The Portfolio I (September 1870): 140-42.
Dodgson, Campbell: A catalogue of the etchings, drypoints and lithographs by Professor Alphonse Legros in the collection of Frank E. Bliss. London: Printed for Private Circulation, 1923, cat. no. 65.
Poulet-Malassis, Auguste and Alphonse Wyatt Thibaudeau. Catalogue raisonné de l'oeuvre gravé et lithographié de Alphonse Legros. Paris: J Baur, 1877, no.65.IV.
Last modified 18 November 2022