Pope Benedict XV (Benoit XV)

1917

Albert Besnard

Associated Names
Albert Besnard

Artist, French, 1849 - 1934

This is a sketch of a man's face, showing the head and a small portion of the upper torso. The man's head is depicted from a frontal position. His facial features are detailed through fine lines and shading, with prominent cheekbones, eyes, a relatively large nose, and lips that are slightly pursed or neutral. The hair appears dark and is closely cropped around the head. The drawing suggests he may be wearing a light-colored shirt, discernible by the outline of a collar. There are no visible details of jewelry or objects being held. The background of the image is plain, focusing entirely on the intricately detailed face.

Media Options

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Artwork overview

Artwork history & notes

Provenance

Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Bell, Cambridge, MA; gift to NGA, 1990.

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: 1e Etat tire a 2; by later hand, lower right in graphite: Pape Benoit XV; by later hand, lower center in graphite: D.; by later hand, lLv//in graphite: 182-3; lCv//in graphite: epreuve reprod[?] par Delteil; lRv//stamped : AB (Lugt 67a)

Markings

(Albert Besnard stamp) verso, purple stamped ink, (Lugt 67a).

Watermarks

None.

Wikidata ID

Q74888116

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