Who painted Distributor of the Holy Water (Le donneur d'eau benite)?

Distributor of the Holy Water (Le donneur d'eau benite) was painted by Alphonse Legros in 1874.

Where can I see Distributor of the Holy Water (Le donneur d'eau benite)?

Distributor of the Holy Water (Le donneur d'eau benite) is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Distributor of the Holy Water (Le donneur d'eau benite)?

Distributor of the Holy Water (Le donneur d'eau benite) is associated with Romanticism.

Artwork

Distributor of the Holy Water (Le donneur d'eau benite)

Alphonse Legros , 1874

Distributor of the Holy Water (Le donneur d'eau benite) 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

Distributor of the Holy Water (Le donneur d'eau benite), an etching and drypoint print created by Alphonse Legros in 1874, showcases the artist's skill in capturing everyday moments through meticulous line work and tonal contrasts.

Subject & Meaning

The print portrays a woman in a dark cloak distributing holy water, with a bare-branched tree as a backdrop. The scene emphasizes the quiet dignity of a common, religious practice.

Technique & Style

Legros employed etching and drypoint techniques to achieve scratchy, uneven lines, evoking a hand-tooled quality. The interplay of dark and light tones defines the subject's face and the tree's details, set against a rough, textured background that reflects the metal plate's engraved nature.

History & Provenance

Created in 1874 by Alphonse Legros, a French artist based in London since 1863, this work exemplifies his contribution to the British etching revival. Provenance details are not specified.

Context

Part of Legros's oeuvre focusing on everyday life and human interaction, this print sits within the broader 19th-century artistic trend of observing mundane, often religious, rituals.

Legacy

While specific legacy details for this piece are not provided, it contributes to Legros's recognized influence on the revival of etching in Britain during the late 19th century.