Fire in the Hamlet (L'incendie du hameau) 

"Fire in the Hamlet (L'incendie du hameau)" is a powerful etching by the French artist Alphonse Legros, known for his realist style. The scene depicts a village engulfed in flames, with a towering plume of smoke billowing into the sky. Two figures in the foreground react in despair to the devastation, while a third looks on from the safety of a hill. Legros's use of strong contrasts between light and shadow, coupled with the dramatic subject matter, creates a sense of urgency and despair, highlighting the plight of the villagers. The etching is a testament to Legros's mastery of the medium and his ability to capture both the beauty and tragedy of the human condition.