Artwork
Nude with Her Arms Raised (Le modèle nue les bras levés)
Nude with Her Arms Raised (Le modèle nue les bras levés) is an ink print by Paul-Albert Besnard. It dates from 1925 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art. Created in 1925, this print by Albert Besnard is an etching and drypoint on wove paper.
About this work
Overview
It depicts a female figure in a moment of quiet stillness, her arms raised and a cloth draped over her head.
Created in 1925, this print by Albert Besnard is an etching and drypoint on wove paper. It depicts a female figure in a moment of quiet stillness, her arms raised and a cloth draped over her head. The composition isolates the figure against a dark, indistinct background, emphasizing form over narrative. The work belongs to Besnard’s later exploration of the human body through intimate, tactile printmaking.
Subject & Meaning
The figure, neither idealized nor overtly sensual, presents a private, introspective pose. The cloth held above her head suggests modesty, ritual, or vulnerability, leaving interpretation open. Her turned posture and raised arms convey a sense of suspension—neither fully exposed nor concealed. The absence of context invites focus on the body’s quiet presence rather than symbolic narrative.
Technique & Style
Besnard employed drypoint to carve directly into the plate, creating rich, fuzzy lines that hold ink unevenly. Combined with etching, the result is a grainy, atmospheric texture that softens contours and deepens shadows. The roughness of the lines enhances the tactile quality of skin and fabric, contrasting with the blurred, void-like background that recedes into darkness.
History & Provenance
This print emerged during Besnard’s mature period, when he increasingly turned to intimate figure studies in print. Though not widely exhibited at the time, it was produced in a limited run, typical of artist-printmakers of the era. Its survival in institutional and private collections reflects its status as a personal, experimental work rather than a commercial product.
Context
In 1920s France, traditional academic nudes were being challenged by more expressive, subjective approaches. Besnard, trained in the Salon tradition, increasingly favored direct observation and tactile media. This print aligns with contemporaneous interests in rawness and immediacy, echoing trends in modernist printmaking that valued process over polish.
Legacy
Though not among Besnard’s most famous works, this print exemplifies his late shift toward intimate, materially rich figure studies. It influenced later printmakers drawn to the emotional potential of drypoint’s imperfections. Its quiet intensity continues to be studied for its balance of restraint and expressive force in depicting the human form.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Paul-Albert Besnard (1849–1934) was a French artist, born in 7th arrondissement of Paris.
