Nude Woman by a Looking Glass (Femme Nue Auprès d'une Glace)

1889

Albert Besnard

Associated Names
Albert Besnard

Artist, French, 1849 - 1934

The image shows two seated figures depicted from the waist up. The person on the left is displayed in profile, facing away from the viewer further into the background, with their head slightly bent forward. The figure on the right is seated facing more towards the viewer, with their left arm resting on a surface. This person has short, textured hair and indistinct facial features due to the drawing style, which uses dense cross-hatching to create shadows and depth. Both figures appear to be unclothed, and their sketch-like rendering conveys more of an impression rather than detailed realism. The background is composed of a textured surface with vertical and horizontal cross-hatchings, featuring a darker section behind the figures that enhances their visibility by contrast. No jewelry or objects are apparent in the image.

Media Options

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

Artwork overview


Artwork history & notes

Provenance

Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Bell, Cambridge, MA; gift to NGA, 1992.

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; by later hand, lower center in graphite: T.; by later hand, across top verso in graphite: Femme nue vue à m[illegible] dans / un mirroir / 40; by later hand, lower center verso in graphite: 85

Markings

None.

Watermarks

None.

Wikidata ID

Q75120985

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