Raid on a Sand-Swallow Colony - "How Many Eggs?"

Lagarde employed wood engraving techniques, utilizing sharp tools to carve the design into a wood block. The composition features intricate, tiny lines to achieve textured shading, notably rendering the cliff's roughness and the spherical form of the eggs.

Created in 1874 by Lagarde, the work's historical context and ownership history prior to its current location are not detailed here. It is now part of the collection at the National Gallery of Art in Washington.

Wood engraving, a technique allowing for mass reproduction, was a popular medium during the 19th century. This piece reflects the era's interest in both natural observation and the human condition, presented in a contemplative rather than confrontational manner.

While specific influence or widespread recognition of 'Raid on a Sand-Swallow Colony' is not highlighted, it contributes to the broader appreciation of 19th-century wood engravings and the observational art of the time, accessible through institutions like the National Gallery of Art.