Woman at the Foot of the Cross (Femme au calvaire) 

Alphonse Legros created this print, "Woman at the Foot of the Cross," using etching, a printmaking technique with a long and rich history. The image is made by drawing through a waxy, acid-resistant ground on a metal plate, in this case most likely copper or zinc. The plate is then bathed in acid, which bites into the metal where the ground has been removed, creating recessed lines. Ink is applied to the plate, and then wiped away from the surface, leaving ink only in the etched lines. Finally, the plate is pressed onto paper, transferring the image. The etched lines in "Woman at the Foot of the Cross" give the image a stark, graphic quality, while the cross-hatching creates a sense of depth and shadow. Look closely and you'll see the intricate details, achieved through a labor-intensive process. In its way, this print testifies to the connections between faith, suffering, and the dignity of manual work.