Alphonse Legros (1837-1911), ‘La Mort dans le Poirier (La Légende du Bonhomme Misère)’,
Alphonse Legros (1837-1911), ‘La Mort dans le Poirier (La Légende du Bonhomme Misère)’, 1874“One of Alphonse Legros’ most famous etchings upon the subject of death is La Legende du Bonhomme Misere. It is actually based upon an old French fable in which Saints Peter and Paul visit a very old man who possesses a hut and a pear tree in order to grant him one wish. The old man (Bonhomme Misere) asks not for wealth nor power but simply requests that anyone who climbs up his pear tree can not get down without his permission. The strange wish is granted and within time Death comes to pay the aged man his inevitable visit. Bonhomme Misere receives his guest very pleasantly and requests only that Death climb the tree to secure a ripe pear in the upper branches. Once there, Death is firmly trapped. A treaty is thus negotiated in which Death will leave Bonhomme Misere (Misery) to dwell forever upon Earth. This original etching was also published by Alfred Cadart, Editeur - Imprimeur in 1874 for the publication entitled, L'Eau-Forte en 1874″Source: http://www.artoftheprint.com/artistpages/legros_alphonse_lalegendedubonhomme.htm -- source link
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