Artwork
Woman in a Cape (La Femme à la Pelerine)
Woman in a Cape (La Femme à la Pelerine) is an ink print by the Impressionist artist Paul-Albert Besnard. It dates from 1889 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Woman in a Cape (La Femme à la Pelerine) is a print created by Albert Besnard in 1889, utilizing a combination of etching, drypoint, and roulette techniques on imitation vellum paper.
Subject & Meaning
The print depicts a woman standing indoors, shrouded in a long, fully enveloping cape. Her face is barely discernible as a pale oval, while her hands are visible resting on a table, creating an air of contemplation or seclusion.
Technique & Style
The artwork features sharp, scratchy lines, particularly in the cape, which convey a sense of texture and movement. The dark, blurry background contrasts with the dynamic, rough lines of the cape, achieved through the manual process of etching and drypoint, resulting in an uneven, expressive quality.
History & Provenance
Created in 1889, specific details regarding the print's provenance and exhibition history are not provided in the available information.
Context
Emerging in the late 19th century, this piece reflects the era's interest in expressive printmaking techniques. Besnard's use of etching, drypoint, and roulette aligns with the period's experimentation in capturing nuanced textures and moods.
Legacy
The enduring significance of 'Woman in a Cape' lies in its demonstration of Besnard's skill in leveraging traditional printmaking methods to evoke modern sensibilities of subtlety and introspection, though its broader impact on the art historical canon is not explicitly outlined in the given context.
Artist & collection
Artist
Paul-Albert Besnard (1849–1934) was a French artist, born in 7th arrondissement of Paris.
