Artwork

Saint Maurice in Bourgogne (Saint Maurice en Bourgogne)

Saint Maurice in Bourgogne (Saint Maurice en Bourgogne), by Alphonse Legros, ink, 1874
Saint Maurice in Bourgogne (Saint Maurice en Bourgogne), by Alphonse Legros, ink, 1874

Saint Maurice in Bourgogne (Saint Maurice en Bourgogne) is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Alphonse Legros. It dates from 1874 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Alphonse Legros produced the print *Saint Maurice in Bourgogne* in 1874. Executed as an etching on unusually light‑green paper, the work presents a tranquil landscape that includes distant architecture, foreground trees and a gently rolling terrain, rendered in a tonal range of grays.

Subject & Meaning

The composition places the figure of Saint Maurice within a Burgundian setting, aligning the saint’s historic association with the region to a broader religious narrative. The serene environment suggests contemplation, inviting viewers to consider the saint’s virtues amid a natural backdrop.

Technique & Style

Legros employed fine etched lines to model the trees with a loose, expressive hand, while the building receives more precise detailing. The gradations of gray, achieved through careful manipulation of acid and ink, create atmospheric depth, characteristic of Romantic sensibilities that prioritize mood over strict realism.

History & Provenance

Born in France, Legros moved to Britain in 1863 and later naturalised there. His activity in the United Kingdom included a leading role in the 19th‑century revival of etching, and *Saint Maurice in Bourgogne* reflects his mature printmaking practice during that period.

Context

The work belongs to the religious genre, yet its Romantic approach aligns it with contemporary trends that emphasized emotional resonance and imaginative landscape. By situating a saint within a bucolic scene, Legros merges devotional content with the era’s fascination with nature’s spiritual dimension.

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: National Gallery of Art open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.