Artwork
Going to Bed (Le coucher)
Going to Bed (Le coucher) is an ink print by Paul-Albert Besnard. It dates from 1913 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art. Albert Besnard’s 1913 print *Going to Bed* (Le coucher) is an etching executed on laid paper.
About this work
Overview
Albert Besnard’s 1913 print *Going to Bed* (Le coucher) is an etching executed on laid paper. The work presents a nocturnal interior scene rendered in a single monochrome tone, characteristic of early twentieth‑century printmaking. Its modest dimensions and the immediacy of the line convey a fleeting, intimate moment captured through the artist’s draftsmanship.
Subject & Meaning
The composition depicts three figures entangled in a heap of sheets and blankets, their faces rendered with softened, indistinct features that suggest a state of half‑sleep or reverie. The ambiguous, dream‑like portrayal invites contemplation of intimacy, vulnerability, and the quiet transition between wakefulness and rest.
Technique & Style
Besnard employed the traditional etching process, incising swift, irregular lines into a metal plate before applying acid to bite the design. The resulting marks are rough and gestural, emphasizing immediacy over finish. The use of laid paper adds a subtle texture that enhances the work’s raw, sketch‑like quality.
History & Provenance
Created in 1913, *Going to Bed* belongs to the period when Besnard explored print media alongside his painting practice. While specific ownership records are limited, the print has appeared in several early twentieth‑century exhibitions of French graphic art, reflecting its recognition within the artist’s oeuvre.
Own this work as a print
Artist & collection
Artist
Paul-Albert Besnard (1849–1934) was a French artist, born in 7th arrondissement of Paris.
