Artwork
Vertigo (Le vertige)
Vertigo (Le vertige) 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 print *Vertigo* (Le vertige), executed in 1900, is an etching on Van Gelder Zonen wove paper.
About this work
Overview
Albert Besnard’s print *Vertigo* (Le vertige), executed in 1900, is an etching on Van Gelder Zonen wove paper. The work presents a compact, dynamic composition in which two human figures occupy a chaotic space of swirling lines, suggesting instability and motion. The title reflects the unsettling atmosphere conveyed by the tangled background and the dramatic poses of the subjects.
Subject & Meaning
The scene captures a fleeting moment of panic, aligning with the notion of vertigo as both physical and psychological dizziness.
The image depicts a figure leaning backward with arms outstretched, appearing on the brink of loss of balance, while a second figure crouches below, grasping a staff. The surrounding vortex of lines—reminiscent of trees, wind, or abstract turbulence—amplifies a sense of disorientation. The scene captures a fleeting moment of panic, aligning with the notion of vertigo as both physical and psychological dizziness.
Technique & Style
Besnard employed the etching process, incising sharp, scratchy lines into a metal plate before transferring the image onto wove paper. The aggressive line work creates a textured surface that conveys movement and tension. The contrast between the dense, swirling background and the clearer delineation of the figures heightens the visual instability central to the composition.
History & Provenance
Created at the turn of the twentieth century, *Vertigo* reflects Besnard’s interest in expressive printmaking during a period of experimentation with line and form. The work is catalogued as a print rather than a unique drawing, suggesting multiple impressions may exist. Specific ownership records are limited, but the piece is documented in museum collections that focus on early modern French graphic art.
Artist & collection
Artist
Paul-Albert Besnard (1849–1934) was a French artist, born in 7th arrondissement of Paris.
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