Avalanche: Frontispiece for Triumph of Death (L'avalanche: Frontispice du Triomphe dela mort 

Alphonse Legros's "Avalanche: Frontispiece for Triumph of Death" is a haunting etching that sets the stage for the larger work "Triumph of Death". It depicts a dark and foreboding scene with a fallen tree trunk blocking a path and a skeletal skull lying nearby. The ominous inscription "Triomphe de la Mort" (Triumph of Death) on a tombstone is prominently displayed, accompanied by a scythe leaning against it, symbolizing the inevitability of death. The etching's stark imagery and detailed textures contribute to its unsettling atmosphere, reflecting Legros's interest in the macabre and the ephemeral nature of life.