Artwork
The Enigma (L'énigme)
The Enigma (L'énigme) is an ink print by Paul-Albert Besnard. It dates from 1900 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art. Albert Besnard’s 1900 print, titled L’énigme, is an etching executed on Van Gelder Zonen wove paper.
About this work
Overview
Albert Besnard’s 1900 print, titled L’énigme, is an etching executed on Van Gelder Zonen wove paper. The work combines etched lines with printed tonal areas, producing a composition that balances stark darkness with illuminated detail.
Subject & Meaning
The image presents two cloaked figures whose faces are concealed in shadow. One figure clutches a luminous white cloth, while the other grasps it tightly, creating a tension between concealment and revelation. The turbulent, swirling backdrop of dark forms enhances an atmosphere of mystery and ambiguity.
Technique & Style
Besnard employed a traditional intaglio process, incising the design into a metal plate and then applying ink to achieve deep blacks and subtle gradations. The use of printed tone alongside the etched lines yields a textured, almost scratch‑like surface, allowing nuanced modeling of light and shadow within a single print.
History & Provenance
Created at the turn of the twentieth century, the print was produced on paper supplied by the Dutch manufacturer Van Gelder Zonen, known for high‑quality wove paper. Details of its exhibition history or subsequent ownership are not documented in the available sources.
Artist & collection
Artist
Paul-Albert Besnard (1849–1934) was a French artist, born in 7th arrondissement of Paris.
Interieur mit Stehlampe (Interior with Floor Lamp)
Passage d'une Ame (Passage of a Spirit)
The Murder (Le Meurtre)
Going to Bed (Le coucher)
Going to Bed (Le coucher)
Getting Up (Le lever)
Getting Up (Le lever)
Two Girls
Femme mettant son bas (Woman Putting On Her Stockings)
Misery (La Misère)
Oriental Interior with Sleeping Tiger
The Mystery (Le mystère)