Artwork
The Siesta
The Siesta is an unspecified painting by the Post-Impressionist artist Paul-Albert Besnard. It dates from 1905 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
About this work
Overview
Paul‑Albert Besnard’s 1905 oil painting The Siesta is part of the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art. The work presents a tranquil waterside scene bathed in daylight, where three white birds glide across the surface of a pond framed by distant trees. The composition conveys a quiet, leisurely atmosphere typical of early‑twentieth‑century French landscape painting.
Subject & Meaning
The canvas depicts a restful moment beside a pond, suggested by the title’s reference to a midday nap. The presence of the floating birds and the calm water underscores themes of stillness and the gentle passage of time, inviting viewers to pause and observe the subtle interplay of light and nature.
Technique & Style
Besnard employs a loose, sketch‑like brushwork that varies in thickness; the birds and rocks receive a more impasto treatment, while the foliage and sky are rendered with swift, translucent strokes of green and blue. This contrast creates a sense of immediacy and freshness, evoking the sensation of a sunny day by the water.
History & Provenance
Created in 1905, The Siesta entered the Cleveland Museum of Art’s holdings through acquisition in the early twentieth century. The painting has remained in the museum’s permanent collection, where it is displayed as an example of Besnard’s landscape oeuvre and his exploration of light and atmosphere.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Paul-Albert Besnard (1849–1934) was a French artist, born in 7th arrondissement of Paris.
