Artwork

The Bells

The Bells, by Fernand Khnopff, graphite, 1905
The Bells, by Fernand Khnopff, graphite, 1905

The Bells is a graphite print by Fernand Khnopff. It dates from 1905 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

The Bells is a 1905 print by Fernand Khnopff, executed in drypoint and colored pencil on laid paper.

Subject & Meaning

The print depicts a woman wearing a tall, pointed hat adorned with bells at the tip, her face blurred and body rendered in loose, quick lines, set against a largely empty background.

Technique & Style

Khnopff employed a mix of dark lines and shading to create depth, with the hat's bells emerging as a clear detail amidst the sketchy execution, characteristic of drypoint's expressive potential.

Artist & collection

This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: National Gallery of Art open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.