Sadness (tristesse) 1877

"Sadness (Tristesse)" is an etching by the French artist Paul-Albert Besnard, created in 1877. The print depicts a woman in profile, her face obscured by shadow as she gazes downward, lost in thought. The use of dark tones and heavy lines conveys a mood of somber contemplation, highlighting the subject's emotional state. Besnard's depiction of melancholy, achieved through skillful etching techniques, resonated with audiences interested in the artistic expression of inner turmoil and the power of a single figure to evoke profound emotion.