Love 1886

Paul-Albert Besnard made this drypoint etching, titled Love, at an unknown date. The image presents a man and woman embracing on what seems to be a balcony overlooking the sea. As a piece of visual culture, this print reflects a broader interest in depicting the relationship between men and women in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Consider the ways in which the couple is framed: they are shown indoors, and they appear to be isolated from the outside world. This could be a commentary on the changing social roles of men and women at that time, as well as the increasing emphasis on romantic love and domesticity. We might also consider how such imagery might affect art institutions such as museums and galleries. Were images such as these considered shocking or controversial at the time? How might have museums displayed them? To better understand this artwork, we need to consider the social and cultural context in which it was created, examining sources such as period writings on love and marriage, and tracking the image's exhibition history.