Artwork
Queen Elisabeth of Belgium (La Reine Élisabeth de Belgique)
Queen Elisabeth of Belgium (La Reine Élisabeth de Belgique) is an ink print by Paul-Albert Besnard. It dates from 1917 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art. Albert Besnard’s 1917 print, titled *Queen Elisabeth of Belgium*, combines etching, drypoint, and printed tone on Arches laid paper.
About this work
Overview
Albert Besnard’s 1917 print, titled *Queen Elisabeth of Belgium*, combines etching, drypoint, and printed tone on Arches laid paper. The work measures a portrait of the Belgian monarch rendered in monochrome, with a deep brown background that frames the figure. It is catalogued as a print and reflects the artist’s engagement with portraiture during the First World War era.
Subject & Meaning
The image portrays Queen Elisabeth, her hair gathered in a low bun and her attire a dark, high‑necked dress with long sleeves. Her gaze falls slightly downward, and the delicate line work suggests a moment of introspection, conveying a sense of quiet contemplation rather than formal regality.
Technique & Style
Besnard employs both etching and drypoint, allowing for fine line definition alongside richer, velvety tones achieved through printed tone on the Arches paper. The combination creates subtle texture on the dress and skin, while the deep brown ground enhances the three‑dimensionality of the figure’s face and clothing.
History & Provenance
Created in 1917, the print emerged amid the turmoil of World War I, a period when Queen Elisabeth was noted for her humanitarian efforts. The work is part of Besnard’s broader oeuvre of portrait prints and has been held in several European collections, reflecting its continued relevance to studies of early‑20th‑century royal imagery.
Artist & collection
Artist
Paul-Albert Besnard (1849–1934) was a French artist, born in 7th arrondissement of Paris.
