Choristers, 1st plate (Le lutrin) 

Alphonse Legros created this etching, "Choristers, 1st plate (Le lutrin)," during a period of significant social upheaval and religious questioning in France. Legros, deeply influenced by his Catholic upbringing, often explored religious themes with a critical yet compassionate eye. This print invites us into a space typically reserved, offering a glimpse into the lives and rituals of those within the church. Notice the varying ages and expressions; Legros captures a sense of human involvement within the structure of religious practice. The choristers embody a range of experiences and emotions, from the seeming disinterest of the younger boy to the focused concentration of the older clerics. This work subtly questions the role of the church in a rapidly changing society, reflecting a broader dialogue about faith, tradition, and the individual’s place within institutional structures. Legros encourages us to consider our own relationship with such systems, prompting reflection on where we find meaning and connection in our lives.