The Adoration of the Shepherds (L'adoration des bergers) 

Alphonse Legros created this etching, The Adoration of the Shepherds, during a period when printmaking was gaining recognition as a legitimate art form. Legros, as a professor at the Slade School of Fine Art in London, played a pivotal role in this shift. His advocacy for etching, in particular, influenced a generation of artists, emphasizing its expressive potential. 'The Adoration' exemplifies this approach, with its stark contrasts and emphasis on line to evoke a mood of humble reverence. Produced in 19th-century Britain, its themes of piety also reflect the complex relationship between art and religion during the Victorian era. By studying the catalogues of exhibitions and the archives of art schools, we can better understand Legros’s position within the artistic debates of his time. This image reminds us that artistic styles and subjects are rooted in socio-economic conditions and intellectual discussions.