Along the Terne (Sur la terne) 

Alphonse Legros created this landscape scene, Along the Terne, using etching, an indirect intaglio printmaking technique. Here, a metal plate, likely copper, is coated with a waxy, acid-resistant ground. The artist then scratches an image into the ground with a pointed tool, exposing the metal beneath. The plate is then immersed in acid, which bites into the exposed lines, creating incised marks. These grooves hold ink, which is transferred to paper under high pressure using a printing press. Notice the density of lines defining the trees, contrasting with the sparser marks suggesting water and sky. This contrast emphasizes the texture and form of the landscape. Legros’s skillful manipulation of line creates depth and atmosphere. The resulting print reflects both the artist's hand and the chemical processes involved, a blend of skill and industrial means.