Artwork
Madame Besnard
Madame Besnard is a print by the Impressionist artist Paul-Albert Besnard. It dates from 1884 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
About this work
Overview
Madame Besnard is a black‑and‑white print executed by Albert Besnard in 1884. The work depicts a seated woman turned slightly away from the viewer, dressed in a loosely draped coat and holding a fan. It is part of the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
Subject & Meaning
The figure appears contemplative, her posture and the turned head suggesting a moment of private thought. The fan, rendered with fine detail, adds an element of elegance and hints at the social customs of the period, while the surrounding swirling lines evoke a sense of interior space.
Technique & Style
Besnard employs chiaroscuro, using gradations of light and shadow to model the woman's face and shoulders, creating a three‑dimensional presence. The background consists of fluid, curtain‑like strokes that give texture without defining a specific setting, allowing the focus to remain on the figure and her accessories.
History & Provenance
Created in the late nineteenth century, the print entered the Cleveland Museum of Art’s holdings at an unspecified date. Its provenance traces back to the artist’s own output during a period when Besnard was exploring printmaking alongside his more widely known paintings.
Artist & collection
Artist
Paul-Albert Besnard (1849–1934) was a French artist, born in 7th arrondissement of Paris.
