Dying Woman (la Mourante) 1885

Paul-Albert Besnard's 1885 etching, "Dying Woman (la Mourante)," is a striking example of the artist's skill in capturing the human form. The work depicts a nude woman in a reclining pose, her body contorted in death. The figure's elongated limbs and dramatic pose, combined with the artist's masterful use of shading, create a sense of both beauty and tragedy. The artwork's title, "Dying Woman," evokes a sense of mortality and the fleeting nature of life, themes that were often explored by Symbolist artists. Besnard's exploration of the female nude, which he tackled throughout his career, is displayed here in a particularly intimate and poignant manner, marking his style of drawing in the late 19th century.