A woodcutter, exhausted by years of hard work, has summoned Death to release him from his endless labor. Inspired by the 17th-century fable “La Mort et Le Bûcheron (Death and the Woodcutter)” by Jean de La Fontaine (1621–1695), this theme was revived by Alphonse Legros and other 19th-century French artists. They related the fable to contemporary concerns over the impending destruction of forests and the harsh conditions faced by those who worked in them. As French forests shrank and forest management policies evolved, debates emerged over the rights of woodcutters, whose livelihoods were severely disrupted. This etching, published in the periodical L’Art in 1876, is one of six works Legros based on the fable. By tapping into the popularity of this subject, Legros used this imagery to highlight his deep concerns over environmental and social issues, ensuring his message resonated with a broad French audience.