Animations:

Visit
Open today 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Admission is always free

6th and Constitution Ave NW
Washington, DC 20565

Sculpture Garden Extended Hours

Open late until 8:00 p.m. on select nights
Through September 5
Exhibitions & Events
America’s 250th

Celebrating American art and artists
Art & Artists
Open Call

Artists Reimagining the Collection
Meet the 50 makers selected from more than 1,600 submissions

Open 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.

Visit
Open today 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Admission is always free

6th and Constitution Ave NW
Washington, DC 20565

Sculpture Garden Extended Hours

Open late until 8:00 p.m. on select nights
Through September 5
Exhibitions & Events
America’s 250th

Celebrating American art and artists
Art & Artists
Open Call

Artists Reimagining the Collection
Meet the 50 makers selected from more than 1,600 submissions

The Obstacle (L'obstacle)

1900

Albert Besnard

Associated Names

Albert Besnard

Artist, French, 1849 - 1934

This is a drawing of a skeleton observing a figure on horseback. The scene includes a detailed depiction of a skeletal figure lying prostrate on the ground, and in the background, a figure sits astride a horse. The rider is somewhat obscured by swirling lines. Above, a bird is present. The use of line and shadow creates a contrast between the static skeleton and the dynamic movement of the horse and rider.

Download

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

Not on view See artworks now on view

Artwork overview

Medium

etching on Van Gelder Zonen wove paper
Credit Line

Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Bell, in Honor of the 50th Anniversary of the National Gallery of Art
Dimensions

plate: 13.9 x 11 cm (5 1/2 x 4 5/16 in.)
sheet: 45.2 x 31.8 cm (17 13/16 x 12 1/2 in.)
Accession Number

1990.95.4
Catalogue Raisonné

Delteil, no. 134, State ii/ii

Artwork history & notes

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

below platemark, center in graphite: ABesnard; lower center in plate: AB

Markings

None.

Watermarks

None.

Wikidata ID

Q74885482

You may be interested in