Hovel on a Hillside (Masure sur la colline) 

Alphonse Legros made this etching, called "Hovel on a Hillside," likely in France, where he was born. This little image is a fascinating microcosm of the massive social shifts of mid-19th century Europe. At this time, rural populations migrated to urban centres seeking work in factories, or perhaps were pushed off the land by changing agricultural practices. Etchings like this, therefore, show the romanticisation of an agrarian past, and a life close to the land, that was fast disappearing due to industrialisation. We can see how Legros uses the etching needle to create a sense of texture and detail in the landscape, evoking a feeling of nostalgia for a simpler way of life. The institutional history of art at this time is complex, with debates raging about what kind of subject matter was suitable for serious art. For example, was it right to focus on humble rural scenes or to uplift viewers with scenes from classical history? By looking into the history of art institutions and social change, we can better understand the social and cultural forces that shaped the art of this period.