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Open 10:00–5:00

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 Enigma (L'énigme)

1900

Albert Besnard

Associated Names

Albert Besnard

Artist, French, 1849 - 1934

This is a drawing of two cats on a bed in a dimly lit room. The artwork features dark shades and a contrast between the cats. One cat is lying down and the other cat is further back, looking towards the viewer. The background has indistinct patterns hinting at a textured surface. The drawing conveys an intimate, quiet moment through its composition and use of shadows.

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Artwork overview

Medium

etching and printed tone 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: 11 x 13.9 cm (4 5/16 x 5 1/2 in.)
sheet: 45 x 32 cm (17 11/16 x 12 5/8 in.)
Accession Number

1990.95.8
Catalogue Raisonné

Delteil, no. 138, State ii/ii
Series Title

Elle [Del. 131-156]

Artwork history & notes

Provenance

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

Associated Names

Professor and Mrs. Daniel Bell

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 left in plate: AB

Markings

None.

Watermarks

None.

Wikidata ID

Q74885524

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