The Feathered Turban (Le turban à aigrette)

Besnard employs layered line work to model volume, allowing overlapping incisions to deepen shadows across the skin and headpiece. The drypoint burr creates a velvety texture, especially in the darker areas, while the etched lines remain finer and more precise. The background is suggested with a soft, almost hair‑like wash that softens the overall composition.

Created at the turn of the twentieth century, the print reflects the era’s interest in combining academic figure drawing with the freer, more expressive qualities of printmaking. Besnard’s use of both etching and drypoint demonstrates his willingness to explore the technical possibilities of the medium, situating the work within the broader revival of graphic arts in early‑1900s France.