1900
ink
paper
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
Dominant colour
The Enigma (L'énigme) is a 1900 ink by Paul-Albert Besnard, held at National Gallery of Art.
This print shows two figures wrapped in dark, heavy coats, their faces hidden in shadow. One holds a glowing white cloth or scarf, while the other’s hands grip it tightly. The background is a swirling, almost stormy mix of dark lines and shapes, making the scene feel mysterious. The artist used a printing method that creates deep blacks and smooth tones, giving it a scratchy, textured look. This was a way to build up shadows and light in one image. Next, look up etching to see how artists like this one carve into metal plates to make prints.
Paul-Albert Besnard (1849–1934) was a French artist, born in 7th arrondissement of Paris.
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