Landscape with Peat-bog; In the Marsh (Paysage des tourbieres; Dans les marais) 

Alphonse Legros created this etching titled "Landscape with Peat-bog; In the Marsh" using delicate lines to depict a tranquil waterside scene. The almost monochromatic palette enhances the mood, drawing us into its subtle details. The composition is structured horizontally, emphasizing the flatness of the marsh. Legros uses line to create tonal variations, evoking a sense of dampness and stillness. The horizon line is low, with a vast sky above, that gives a feeling of openness. Yet the tangle of reeds and bushes creates a screen, disrupting the eye. The sparse figures on the right barely disturb the landscape. Legros was part of a movement that appreciated the raw and unadorned aspects of nature. This etching invites us to consider the relationship between humans and the environment, portraying a landscape that is both inviting and indifferent. The emphasis on formal elements encourages a deeper engagement with the visual structure. It is a landscape that challenges our perceptions, inviting us to find beauty in simplicity.