Discreet (discrète) 1900

Paul-Albert Besnard’s etching presents us with potent symbols: a sleeping figure and the looming specter of death. Traditionally, the Grim Reaper, the figure of death is portrayed as a skeleton in a dark cloak, often wielding a scythe. Here, Besnard offers a variation, with Death's gesture of 'silence' inviting us into a reflection on mortality. Consider this gesture in relation to the 'Hush!' or 'Be quiet!' found in ancient art. The gesture resurfaces across time, echoing in the iconography of figures like Harpocrates, the god of silence, or medieval depictions of secretive figures. The gesture transcends mere silence; it's a call to the subconscious, a moment of introspection before the inevitable. Notice the candle, a symbol of life's ephemerality, flickering beside the sleeping figure. This contrast embodies a deep psychological tension. The dance between light and shadow evokes our primal fears and fascinations with the unknown. Ultimately, Besnard's work reminds us that these symbols are not static; they are ever evolving, adapting to new cultural landscapes while retaining their fundamental power to evoke profound emotional responses.