Artwork
The End (La Fin de Tout)
The End (La Fin de Tout) is an ink print by the Impressionist artist Paul-Albert Besnard. It dates from 1883 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Albert Besnard’s 1883 print, titled The End (La Fin de Tout), is an etching executed on laid paper. Rendered in monochrome, the work captures a somber interior where two figures occupy worn chairs, illuminated faintly by a lamp with a tall shade. The composition conveys a sense of fatigue and quiet resignation.
Subject & Meaning
The scene presents two individuals seated in a dimly lit room; one is swathed in a heavy blanket, his head supported by his hand, while the other leans forward, appearing weary. A dog is curled at the feet of the latter figure, adding a domestic, yet subdued, element to the tableau.
Technique & Style
Besnard employed the traditional etching process, incising fine lines into a metal plate before transferring the image onto paper. The work is marked by crisp, precise lines that delineate the folds of fabric and the play of shadow on textured walls, reflecting the prevailing aesthetic of late‑19th‑century printmaking.
History & Provenance
Created in 1883, The End belongs to the period when Besnard was establishing his reputation as a painter and printmaker. The print has circulated among collectors of French etchings, though specific ownership details remain limited in public records.
Artist & collection
Artist
Paul-Albert Besnard (1849–1934) was a French artist, born in 7th arrondissement of Paris.
