Artwork
Small Fishing Boats of Berck (Petites Pêcheuses de Berck)
Small Fishing Boats of Berck (Petites Pêcheuses de 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:by the artist, lower right in graphite: A. Besnard
- Markings
- Marked:"JK" (Jacob Kainen collector's stamp), verso, black stamped ink, (Lugt 4737).
About this work
Overview
Small Fishing Boats of Berck (Petites Pêcheuses de Berck) is an 1897 etching by Albert Besnard, depicting a maritime scene on laid paper.
Subject & Meaning
The etching portrays three small fishing boats in turbulent water, with two figures in the nearest boat facing away towards the sea. The distant shore appears as a dark, jagged silhouette.
Technique & Style
Besnard employed sharp, dynamic lines to convey the boats' movement amidst the choppy waves. The rough texture of the laid paper enhances the sense of immediacy and natural turbulence.
History & Provenance
Created in 1897, specific details about the work's provenance and exhibition history are not provided in the available information.
Context
As an etching, the piece exemplifies Besnard's use of a traditional printmaking technique, where images are carved into metal plates (see etching process). This method allowed for the reproduction of the scene, characteristic of late 19th-century artistic practices.
Legacy
The legacy of Small Fishing Boats of Berck within Besnard's oeuvre or broader artistic impact is not specified in the provided details.
Own this work as a print
Artist & collection
