Paul-Albert Louis Besnard Paintings

Paul-Albert Besnard was a French painter and printmaker who was born on June 2, 1849, in Paris, France. He was celebrated for his diverse painting styles, which included portraits, landscapes, and scenes of everyday life. Besnard was the son of a well-known portraitist, Albert Besnard (senior), which provided him with a stimulating artistic environment from an early age.

Educated at the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris, he studied under Alexandre Cabanel and was influenced by the work of other contemporary artists such as Gustave Moreau. Besnard won the prestigious Prix de Rome in 1874, which granted him the opportunity to study at the French Academy in Rome, Villa Medici. His early works exhibit a sensitivity to color and light, which would become hallmarks of his style. During his time in Italy, he became interested in the effects of light and his style began to shift from the academic to a more impressionistic approach, a transformation that was quite evident upon his return to Paris.

In the 1880s, Besnard's work started to gain more public recognition. He became known for his ability to capture the psychological depth of his subjects in his portraits. Besnard's wife, Charlotte Dubray, a talented sculptor, often featured in his paintings. His later work was influenced by his travels to North Africa, where he was captivated by the vibrant light and color, which further impacted his painting style.

Apart from portraits and landscapes, Besnard also worked on decorative schemes for public buildings, which were emblematic of the Belle Époque period. His murals for the École de Pharmacie, the Sorbonne, and the Hôtel de Ville in Paris are among his best-known public commissions. These works demonstrate his skill in handling large-scale compositions and his continued experimentation with the effects of light.

As a printmaker, Besnard was known for his etchings and lithographs, which often carried a sense of intimacy and immediacy, contrasting with the grandeur of his public murals.

Throughout his career, Besnard was involved with various artistic societies, including the Société Nationale des Beaux-Arts, which he helped to found. His contributions to French art were recognized in 1913 when he was appointed director of the French Academy in Rome, a position he held until 1921.

Paul-Albert Besnard died on December 4, 1934, in Paris. His artistic legacy is marked by his commitment to exploring the effects of light and his ability to capture the essence of his subjects with sensitivity and insight. Besnard's works can be found in many major museums and collections around the world, testament to his enduring impact on the art of his time.