1900
ink
paper
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
Dominant colour
Importunate (Importune) is a 1900 ink by Paul-Albert Besnard, held at National Gallery of Art.
This image shows a dark scene with two figures. On the left, a woman in a loose dress sits with her back turned, her hair loose and her hand resting on her knee. To the right, a skeletal figure stands, its ribs and bones sharply outlined, holding what looks like a cane or staff. The background is mostly shadowy, with a faint suggestion of a table or shelf in the corner. The contrast between the living woman and the skeletal figure creates a striking tension. The artist used a mix of dark and light lines to highlight the bones, making them stand out against the softer shapes of the woman. Look up etching to see how this technique works.
Paul-Albert Besnard (1849–1934) was a French artist, born in 7th arrondissement of Paris.
See the richer artist page
