1926
ink
paper
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
Dominant colour
By the Lamp (Sous la Lampe) is a 1926 ink by Paul-Albert Besnard, held at National Gallery of Art.
This sketch shows a person sitting at a table, bent over a piece of paper. A lamp with a white shade casts a faint glow behind them, lighting up the scene. The lines are rough and scratchy, giving everything a textured, almost sketchy look. The artist used a technique that leaves visible marks and shading, making the drawing feel handmade and urgent. The light from the lamp is the only bright spot, drawing your eye to the figure’s focused posture. Next, look up etching to see how artists like this create detailed prints with acid and metal plates.
Paul-Albert Besnard (1849–1934) was a French artist, born in 7th arrondissement of Paris.
See the richer artist page
