Albert Besnard, “Melancholy”, 1888

Albert Besnard (aka Paul Albert Besnard) (1849–1934)

“Melancholy” (aka “Etude ou Mélancolie”), 1888, published in Paris in the art periodical, “Gazette des Beaux-Arts”, in November 1906 under the title, “Etude ou Mélancolie”, between pages 438 and 439

Etching with soft-ground etching and roulette work printed in brown ink on fine laid paper.

Size: (sheet) 27.2 x 17.9 cm; (plate) 13 x 13.1 cm.

Inscribed with the artist’s monogram at lower left.

Delteil 81 (Loys Delteil 1906, “Louis Godefroy Albert Besnard”, vol. 30 of “Le Peintre-Graveur”, Paris, np, cat. no. 81); Coppier 68 (André-Charles Coppier 1920, “Les Eaux-Fortes de Besnard”, Paris, Berger-Levrault, p. 89 [illus.], p.110, cat. no. 81); IFF 31 (Jean Laren 1937, “Inventaire du Fonds Français après 1800”, Paris, Bibliothèque Nationale de France, Département des Estampes, vol. 2, p. 341, cat. no. 31 [see https://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/bpt6k5488531x/f350]).

See also the description of this print offered by the National Gallery of Art: https://www.nga.gov/artworks/83820-melancholy-melancolie.

André-Charles Coppier (1920) offers the following description and insights about this print: (transl.) “A woman, half-length, sits by the sea. Leaning on her knees, she holds a vast cape against her chest, its collar half-open to the offshore breeze, which flutters her blond hair. A sort of Phrygian cap tightly covers her, giving her silhouette a sculptural, simple, and robust stance, highlighting her imperious face. In the distance, a flock of seagulls plays in a stormy sky, schematically indicated. … The piece is in a single state, with an edition of 100 copies” (p. 53 [https://archive.org/details/leseauxfortesdeb00copp/page/52/mode/2up]).   

Condition: a strong and well-printed impression with added toning around the neck of the figure. The sheet is in a near pristine condition with no tears, holes, folds, abrasions or stains.

This exquisite etching, featuring a wistful young woman, evokes a profound sense of melancholy. Its textured surface beautifully complements the subject's pensive expression. Offered for AU$298 (approx. US$195.66, EUR 167.53, or GBP 145.17), express shipping is included globally. Import duties are the responsibility of the buyer.

If you are interested in purchasing this remarkable etching, please contact me (oz_jim@printsandprinciples.com) and I will send you a PayPal invoice to make the payment easy.

This print has been sold