Artwork

Georges Clemenceau

Georges Clemenceau, by Paul-Albert Besnard, ink, 1917
Georges Clemenceau, by Paul-Albert Besnard, ink, 1917

Georges Clemenceau is an ink print by Paul-Albert Besnard. It dates from 1917 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Georges Clemenceau is a 1917 drypoint print by Albert Besnard, portraying the subject's face and shoulders in expressive, loose lines.

Subject & Meaning

The print depicts Georges Clemenceau, a prominent French statesman, captured in a characteristically spontaneous and intimate manner, reflecting Besnard's ability to convey personality through minimal yet suggestive marks.

Technique & Style

Executed in drypoint, the work features jagged, scratchy lines, particularly in the hair and beard, which are rendered as dynamic, almost wind-blown textures. The technique emphasizes the visibility of the artist's hand, with rough lines and a textured paper surface contributing to the overall sketchy, vibrant appearance.

History & Provenance

Created in 1917, specific details regarding the print's provenance and exhibition history are not provided in the available information.

Context

This portrait of Clemenceau, a key figure in French politics during World War I, may contextualually relate to the era's political climate, though the piece itself focuses on personal characterization rather than direct political commentary.

Legacy

The legacy of 'Georges Clemenceau' as a print lies in its demonstration of Besnard's skill with drypoint in capturing fleeting, expressive likenesses, though its broader impact on the artist's oeuvre or the development of drypoint technique is not elaborated in the given context.

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: National Gallery of Art open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.