The Dancer of Tanjore (La bayadère de Tanjore)
1914
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1914
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
This print shows a dancer in a bright orange sari. Her arms curve in a graceful pose, one hand touching her hip. The background is soft and dark, making her stand out. Besnard used three print methods at once: etching, drypoint, and printed tone. That mix gives the image rich shadows and smooth tones. You can almost feel the heat of the stage lights on her costume. Look at a real etching by Besnard at the National Gallery of Art, Washington.
