A Family (Une Famille)

1890

Albert Besnard

Associated Names
Albert Besnard

Artist, French, 1849 - 1934

The image displays a close-up view of four individuals, showcasing various parts of their faces and torsos. The central figure has medium-length hair and delicate features including a small nose and downturned lips, viewed in profile. The person behind them has shorter hair and prominent eyes looking at the viewer, with a fringe of bangs on their forehead. In the lower left corner, there is a profile view of another person with wavy hair and a straight nose, mostly obscured by shadow. On the right, only the shaded facial profile of another person is visible, with features rendered in a rough texture. The textured background adds depth to the composition, while the etching technique gives the image a soft, intricate quality.

Media Options

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    etching, aquatint and soft ground on laid paper

  • Credit Line

    Corcoran Collection (Bequest of Frank B. Bristow, 1968)

  • Dimensions

    plate: 15.9 × 11.6 cm (6 1/4 × 4 9/16 in.)
    sheet: 32.6 × 22.8 cm (12 13/16 × 9 in.)

  • Accession Number

    2015.19.1537

  • Catalogue Raisonné

    Delteil, no. 94, State ii/ii


Artwork history & notes

Provenance

Frank B. Bristow, Falls Church, VA; gift to Corcoran Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.; acquired by National Gallery of Art, 2015.

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: no. 94, ii/ii

Inscriptions

by later hand, lower right verso in graphite: 68.26.861

Markings

Frank Baker Bristow (Lugt 982a)


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