La Charité (Charity). Etching in black ink on light tan paper; 8 x 6 ¾ inches (20.4 x 17.2 cm) –image size.
This is another of Alphonse Legros's figure subjects inspired by the artist's early impressions of French peasant life. It is an example of Social Realism showing Legros concern for the poor and infirm in French society. It features an elderly man begging for a coin from a young woman accompanied by an older woman.
This particular print is an example of the seventh state and was published in The Art Journal in October 1881 opposite page 295. W. E. Henley praised this etching in The Art Journal for its drawing, mastery of line, and composition, stating: “That one, ‘Charity,’ which illustrates the present paper, is, in its way, as genuine a Legros as any, and is an excellent specimen of the artist’s latest manner, in which etching is considered as an opportunity, not of richness of tone and fulness of color, but of distinction and expression in drawing, selection and mastery of line, and severe simplicity of composition. The scene is a church porch at Boulogne, the hero is a professional beggar; a passing church-goer, a paysanne as poor as himself, drops him a sou as she goes by to prayer, the one act of piety but preceding and preparing for another. As an example of the skill that is able to do at six strokes the work of sixteen, it could not easily be surpassed” (296).
Bibliography
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. 235.
Henley, W. E. “Alphonse Legros.” The Art Journal New Series XX (1881): 294-96.
Created 18 November 2022