Artwork

Woman with a Cape

Woman with a Cape, by Paul-Albert Besnard, 1889
Woman with a Cape, by Paul-Albert Besnard, 1889

Woman with a Cape is a print by the Impressionist artist Paul-Albert Besnard. It dates from 1889 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

Woman with a Cape, a print by Albert Besnard from 1889, is part of The Cleveland Museum of Art's collection. The work depicts a woman enveloped in a long, flowing cape in an indoor setting.

Subject & Meaning

The subject, a woman with a softly rendered, blurred face, is set against a dark background, her light face creating a striking contrast. The overall effect is ethereal, with the woman's features subtly defined.

Technique & Style

Besnard employed loose, sketchy strokes to capture the movement and texture of the cape, as well as the interplay of light. The technique gives the impression of a rapid, spontaneous drawing rather than a meticulously finished work.

History & Provenance

Created in 1889, the print is currently housed at The Cleveland Museum of Art, though specific details of its acquisition or earlier ownership are not provided here.

Context

The use of strong light and dark contrasts in 'Woman with a Cape' relates to the artistic principle of chiaroscuro, a technique used to create volume and depth in artworks.

Artist & collection

Portrait of Paul-Albert Besnard

Artist

Paul-Albert Besnard

Paul-Albert Besnard (1849–1934) was a French artist, born in 7th arrondissement of Paris.

This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: Cleveland Museum of Art open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.