Confidences

1900

Albert Besnard

Associated Names
Albert Besnard

Artist, French, 1849 - 1934

The image shows two men sitting on a bench with their full bodies visible. The man on the left leans slightly towards the man on the right. The man on the right rests his left arm on his lap and looks towards his companion. Facial features are depicted with the left man in shadow and the other man's face showing more detail, including a beard. The man on the left wears what seems to be a suit or formal jacket, with darker shoes and knee-high socks. The man on the right is also dressed in formal attire, possibly a suit, with a darker cloak or coat over his shoulder. The background is abstract with a pattern suggesting foliage or an outdoor setting, using hatching and textured lines. The image has a monochromatic, etched style.

Media Options

This object’s media is free and in the public domain. Read our full Open Access policy for images.

Artwork overview

  • Medium

    etching and drypoint on wove paper

  • Credit Line

    Gift of Ruth Cole Kainen

  • Dimensions

    plate: 27 x 20.2 cm (10 5/8 x 7 15/16 in.)
    sheet: 32.2 x 23.7 cm (12 11/16 x 9 5/16 in.)

  • Accession Number

    2005.145.5

  • Catalogue Raisonné

    Delteil, no. 128, State only


Artwork history & notes

Provenance

(Frederick Mulder, London); Ruth Kainen, Washington, D.C., purchased June 13, 1977; gift to NGA, 2005.

Associated Names

Bibliography

1906

  • Delteil, Loys. Le peintre-graveur illustre. 31 vols. Paris: Published by the author, 1906-1926. Reprint. New York: Collectors Editions, Da Capo Press, 1969. Vol. 30 (Albert Besnard) is by Louis Godefroy.

Inscriptions

lower right in graphite: ABesnard; lower left in graphite: 128

Markings

"RCK" (Ruth Cole Kainen's collector's stamp) verso, black stamped ink, (Lugt 4740). (Albert Besnard's stamp) verso, black stamped ink, (Lugt 3440).

Watermarks

None.

Wikidata ID

Q76335205

You may be interested in

Loading Results