Anders Zorn - Albert Besnard and His Model, 1896

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In this rectangular, black and white etching, Zorn depicts the French artist Albert Besnard drawing a model. The view of Besnard is from behind, as he sits facing his model. He wears a collared jacket over a white shirt and a brimmed hat. His hair is trimmed neatly off his neck and behind his right ear. Facial hair is visible on the right side of his face. He sits with his right knee crossed over his left leg. A corner of the seat back of a wooden chair is visible behind him. Across the room, the model sits on a flat surface with her legs crossed in front of her. She sits sideways, positioned toward our left, but turns her head to look at Besnard. She wears a white blouse and a full dark skirt covering her legs. She has a long face and very long hair cascading down her back and over her shoulders. A wide-necked, rimmed ceramic pot rests on the surface next to the model to her left side. She holds and tilts another pot, this one taller with a narrower opening, toward her lap. Dark vertical marks define the wall, and possibly a curtain, behind her. In the corner to our left, the wall area is white and mostly bare. The plate is signed on the lower right, Zorn; it is inscribed on the upper left corner, Chez Besnard; and it is signed in pencil in the lower margin, Zorn.

Anders Zorn (Mora, 1860 - 1920, Mora)

Albert Besnard and His Model, 1896

Etching on laid paper, 50.2 x 34.6 cm (19 3/4 x 13 5/8 in.)

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Commentary

Sitting closely behind the French artist Albert Besnard (1849–1934), Zorn gives a drastically cropped and foreshortened view of his friend with a model in the background. Zorn visited Besnard in his Paris studio, and together they engaged in a jovial competition by drawing the same model at the same time; this etching is the result. The few lines that build up Besnard’s back and knee demonstrate Zorn’s talent with the etching needle.

Source: Anders Zorn: A European Artist Seduces America, special exhibition on view in the Museum's Hostetter Gallery, February 28 – May, 2013.