Who painted The Manger (La creche)?

The Manger (La creche) was painted by Alphonse Legros in 1874.

Where can I see The Manger (La creche)?

The Manger (La creche) is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is The Manger (La creche)?

The Manger (La creche) is associated with Romanticism.

Artwork

The Manger (La creche)

Alphonse Legros , 1874

The Manger (La creche) 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’ 1874 print *The Manger (La crèche)* is an intaglio work enhanced with a light green wash. Executed as an etching, the image presents a modest nativity scene rendered in delicate line work and subtle tonal shifts, giving the composition a muted, atmospheric quality.

Subject & Meaning

The composition centers on a mother figure cradling an infant, both dressed in period attire, while a second woman stands nearby with folded hands. A third figure is seated at a table, accompanied by a basket and a bowl, suggesting a domestic setting that alludes to the traditional Christian narrative of the birth of Christ.

Technique & Style

Legros employed fine, closely spaced lines to delineate the folds of the garments and the textures of the surrounding objects. After the etching was printed, a thin green wash was applied, softening the overall palette and unifying the scene with a slightly faded, contemplative tone.

History & Provenance

Born in France and later establishing his career in London, Legros became a pivotal participant in the late‑19th‑century British etching revival. *The Manger* reflects his engagement with both French academic training and the emerging British interest in re‑examining the etching medium.

Context

During the 1870s, British artists revived etching as a means of expressive, hand‑crafted printmaking, moving away from purely reproductive uses. Legros’ work exemplifies this shift, combining meticulous draftsmanship with a restrained use of color to explore narrative subjects within a modern printmaking framework.