10. Alphonse Legros
(1837-1911)

Paysanne des Environs de Boulogne

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Legros: Paysanne des Environs de Boulogne

Paysanne des Environs de Boulogne

Etching, ca. 1872, 228 x 147 mm., Bliss 80 iii/iii; Malassis & Thibaudeau 80 iii/iii, as published in 1875 in Hamerton's Portfolio. Legros was enormously respected and avidly collected at one time. After the obliteration of the art market by the Depression and World War II, he remains one of those artists yet to be rediscovered by collectors in general. The absence of a real catalogue-raisonné is partially responsible. Yes, his subject matter is limited and generalized, but he drew beautifully (when that was what he wanted), he was a subtle and varied technician and he had a clear personal style or styles. His prints are widely available, with some great rarities at low prices and standard editions at even lower ones. Too few people have chosen to notice. A fine, clear impresssion on laid paper with good margins. The edition was large so the price is small.