Artwork
Sorrow (Chagrin)
Sorrow (Chagrin) is an ink print by Paul-Albert Besnard. It dates from 1919 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Sorrow (Chagrin) is a 1919 etching and aquatint print by Albert Besnard, depicting a contemplative, solitary figure in a sparse interior.
Subject & Meaning
A woman sits with her head in her hands, conveying profound sadness through subtle, introspective body language, evoking a sense of quiet, intimate melancholy.
Technique & Style
Besnard employed simple, expressive lines in etching, combined with aquatint to achieve soft, smooth textures, effectively capturing the emotional depth of the scene.
History & Provenance
Created in 1919, the work's provenance is not detailed here, focusing instead on its technical and emotional attributes.
Context
Part of Besnard's oeuvre, Sorrow reflects early 20th-century explorations of interiority and emotional expression in printmaking.
Legacy
While specific influence is unnoted, the piece exemplifies the enduring appeal of understated, psychologically charged prints in modern art.
Artist & collection
Artist
Paul-Albert Besnard (1849–1934) was a French artist, born in 7th arrondissement of Paris.
Pompilia
Woman with a Vase (La femme au vase)
Woman Combing Her Hair (Femme qui se peigne)
Mother and Child
The Corner of the Sofa (No. 3)
Bust of Mademoiselle Marcelle Lender (Mademoiselle Marcelle Lender, en buste)
Doorway to Illusion
Woman Reading (Liseuse)
A Nude Woman in a Fur Wrap
In "La glu" (Dans "La glu")
The Silk Gown (La robe de soie)
La Belle Dame endormie