Artwork
Small Donkey at Berck (Un petit ane à Berck)
Small Donkey at Berck (Un petit ane à Berck) is an ink print by the Impressionist artist Albert Besnard. It dates from 1897 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
- Inscription
- Inscribed:"ABesnard" lower right margin, graphite, artist's hand. Not dated. "Tiré à 75 No 3" lower left margin, graphite, artist's hand. "ane de Berck 165" lower right margin, graphite, unknown hand. "3" lower center margin, graphite, unknown hand. "EW" verso, lower right margin, black ink, unknown hand.
- Markings
- Marked:"LRJ" verso, black stamped ink, stamped twice, (Lugt 1760b). "National Gallery of Art" verso, black stamped ink, (Lugt 1932d).
About this work
Overview
Albert Besnard’s 1897 print, titled Small Donkey at Berck, presents a solitary donkey on a shoreline beside a modest boat. Executed in etching and drypoint on wove paper, the image balances a muted palette with stark contrasts, emphasizing the animal and vessel against a lighter expanse of sand and sea.
Subject & Meaning
The composition centers on a diminutive donkey facing left, positioned before a boat angled toward the right. Footprints and subtle marks texture the sand, suggesting recent passage. The quiet arrangement, with the donkey and boat seemingly in pause, evokes a moment of stillness and anticipation on the coastal plain.
Technique & Style
Besnard combined traditional etching with drypoint, allowing both fine line work and richer, velvety shadows. The use of dark tonal washes against the pale background creates depth, while the grain of the wove paper contributes to the tactile quality of the sand and sea surfaces.
History & Provenance
Printed in 1897, the work reflects Besnard’s interest in everyday scenes rendered with a delicate yet precise hand. While specific ownership records are limited, the print has been catalogued among his late‑19th‑century prints and appears in several museum collections dedicated to French graphic art.
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