Edge of a Wood (Lisiere de bois) 

Alphonse Legros made this etching, Edge of a Wood, at some point in his career. He was born in France, but spent much of his working life in Britain. This seemingly simple image of trees and undergrowth can tell us a lot about the changing role of art institutions at the time. Etching became popular in the 19th century, with an important social function. The etching was much cheaper to produce than a painting, and it allowed artists to create multiple original images. A painting was generally bought by one wealthy patron. But an etching could be purchased by anyone. Legros taught etching at the Slade School of Fine Art in London. The school encouraged its students to make art accessible to ordinary people. It promoted the idea of art as a public good. Historical sources, such as student records and newspaper articles, can tell us more about these social changes. The history of art is closely tied to the history of institutions.