Banks of the Oise (Bord de l'Oise) 

Alphonse Legros created the etching "Banks of the Oise" during a time of significant social and economic change in France. As industrialization progressed, many artists turned to rural landscapes, seeking solace in the simplicity of nature. Legros, who spent much of his career in England, frequently depicted the lives of the working class and the French countryside. Here, a lone figure fishes in the Oise River. This everyday scene evokes themes of labor and leisure, class and identity. The print's monochromatic palette and delicate lines create a sense of quiet introspection. Legros' choice to focus on a humble subject aligns with the Realist movement, which challenged the art world's traditional focus on grand historical or mythological themes. The scene carries a certain universality, speaking to our shared human connection to nature. It is an invitation to reflect on our place in the world.