Corner of a Wood (Coin d'un bois)

Legros employed the traditional etching process, incising fine, intricate lines into a metal plate to achieve delicate textures in leaves and bark. The contrast between deep, black strokes and the light ground creates a sense of depth, while the meticulous line work conveys the density and mystery of the wooded environment.

Born in France, Legros moved to London in 1863 and later naturalized as a British citizen. By the early 1880s he was a leading figure in the revival of British etching, teaching at the Royal Academy and influencing a new generation of printmakers. This work exemplifies his contribution to that resurgence.

The print reflects the late‑19th‑century fascination with atmospheric landscapes and the technical possibilities of etching. Legros’s focus on a secluded, almost theatrical forest scene aligns with contemporary interests in mood and the natural world, while his precise line work demonstrates the medium’s capacity for detailed tonal variation.