Artwork
On the Lookout (Aux aguets)
On the Lookout (Aux aguets) is an ink print by Paul-Albert Besnard. It dates from 1900 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Albert Besnard’s 1900 print On the Lookout (Aux aguets) is an etching executed on Van Gelder Zonen wove paper. The work measures a modest size typical of early‑twentieth‑century prints and presents a dramatic, almost theatrical scene rendered in stark monochrome.
Subject & Meaning
The image depicts three indistinct figures caught amid a turbulent atmosphere. Their forms are suggested rather than defined, enveloped in swirling lines that evoke wind or turbulent fabric, conveying a sense of urgency or alertness suggested by the title’s reference to a watchful position.
Technique & Style
Besnard employed traditional intaglio methods, allowing acid to bite the metal plate and produce irregular, jagged marks. The uneven ink distribution creates a raw, sketch‑like quality, emphasizing movement and emotional intensity over precise detail.
History & Provenance
Created at the turn of the century, the print reflects Besnard’s exploration of printmaking alongside his more widely known paintings. It was issued on paper supplied by the Dutch firm Van Gelder Zonen, a common choice for fine art prints of the period.
Context
The work emerges from a period when many artists turned to etching to experiment with line and atmosphere. Besnard’s approach aligns with contemporary interests in capturing fleeting moments and the psychological tension of modern life.
Artist & collection
Artist
Paul-Albert Besnard (1849–1934) was a French artist, born in 7th arrondissement of Paris.
Les Honnêtes femmes; Conférence, Poésies inédites d'Henry Becque; La Parisienne
Vertigo (Le vertige)
The Warning (L'avertissement)
Importunate (Importune)
Indifferent (Indifférente)
Love Consecrated (Elle consacre l'amour)
Punctual (Ponctuelle)
The Duel (Le duel)
Et celui qui était monté dessus se nommait la Mort (And his name that sat on him was Death)
Charitable