The Sick Mother (La mère malade)
1889
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1889
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
This sketch shows a dim room with three people: a woman in a high-necked dress sitting by a window, and two children at a table. The window lets in a faint light, while outside, trees blur into the dark. The woman’s face is half-lit, and the kids seem to be looking at something on the table. The artist used rough, sketchy lines to show emotion over detail. This style fits the Impressionist and Realist movements, which focused on everyday life and honest feelings. Next, look up etching to see how artists like Besnard made prints with acid and needles.
