Albert Besnard and His Model

Anders Zorn

1896

ink

From the collection of National Gallery of Art

Impressionism Realism Late 19th Century

About this work

This sketch shows a man in a hat leaning over a woman sitting on a bed. The woman holds a small object in her hands, and both figures look tired or lost in thought. The room is dim, with a window covered by heavy curtains letting in faint light. The artist used quick, scratchy lines to show texture—like the fabric, hair, and even the man’s hat. This style makes the scene feel urgent, like a snapshot of a quiet moment. Next, check out the technique: etching to see how artists like this one create depth with ink and metal plates.