Artwork

The Baptism

The Baptism, by Alphonse Legros, 1884
The Baptism, by Alphonse Legros, 1884

The Baptism is a print by the Impressionist artist Alphonse Legros. It dates from 1884 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

The Baptism is a print by Alphonse Legros, created in 1884, and is part of the collection at The Cleveland Museum of Art.

Subject & Meaning

The print depicts a solemn scene of three figures in a dimly lit room, possibly representing a religious ritual, with a central figure assisted by two others.

Technique & Style

The work is characterized by rough lines, uneven shading, and strong contrasts of light and dark, giving it a raw, expressive quality.

Context

The use of chiaroscuro, a technique emphasizing contrasts between light and dark, is a notable aspect of the print's style.

Artist & collection

Portrait of Alphonse Legros

Artist

Alphonse Legros

Alphonse Legros (French pronunciation: ; 8 May 1837 – 8 December 1911) was a French, later British, painter, etcher, sculptor, and medallist.

This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: Cleveland Museum of Art open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.