Artwork
Nude Woman by a Looking Glass (Femme Nue Auprès d'une Glace)
Nude Woman by a Looking Glass (Femme Nue Auprès d'une Glace) is an ink print by the Impressionist artist Albert Besnard. It dates from 1889 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
- Inscription
- Inscribed: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
- Marked:None.
About this work
Overview
Nude Woman by a Looking Glass is an 1889 etching on green laid paper by Albert Besnard, portraying a solitary female figure in a private moment.
Subject & Meaning
The subject, a nude woman, sits with her back to the viewer, her face obscured, conveying quiet intimacy and a sense of intrusion upon a personal space.
Technique & Style
Besnard employs soft, gentle lines to render the woman's body, contrasting with the muted, earthy background. The etching technique adds texture and depth, highlighting intricate details of her form.
History & Provenance
Created in 1889, specific provenance details are not provided in the available information.
Context
The work reflects late 19th-century explorations of nudity in art, focusing on serene, personal moments rather than overt sensuality.
Legacy
The etching's impact and influence within Besnard's oeuvre or broader artistic movements are not specified in the given context.
Own this work as a print
Artist & collection
Seated Nude Woman from the Back
Woman at Her Toilette (La toilette)
Back of a Woman (Dos de Femme)
Bust
Femme assise de profil (Woman Seated in Profile)
The Feathered Turban (Le turban à aigrette)
Seated Nude with a Cigarette
Getting Up (Le lever)
Study of a Woman, Viewed from the Back (Étude de femme vue de dos)