The Dancer of Tanjore (La bayadère of Tanjore)
1914
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1914
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
You see a woman in a blue sari dancing, her arms curved gracefully. Her jewelry catches the light, and behind her, a temple tower rises. The artist used three print methods here: etching, drypoint, and printed tone. That mix gives the print depth and soft shadows. This isn’t just another dancer scene. The artist studied Indian art on a trip in 1914. He blended French style with Tanjore’s rich colors and sharp outlines. Look for another Besnard print at the National Gallery of Art, Washington.
