Gabriele D'annunzio 1917

This is Paul-Albert Besnard's portrait of Gabriele D'Annunzio, done with etching, a process that's all about mark-making and letting the acid do its thing. The surface has this lovely, almost velvety texture created by the etched lines. See how the light catches the bald head? It’s a dense network of tiny lines, a real testament to the physicality of the medium. There’s a sense of controlled chaos, particularly in the way the shadows are rendered. It feels almost sculptural, like he’s carving the image out of the darkness. Besnard reminds me a bit of Félix Vallotton, another artist who wasn't afraid to play with light and shadow, using printmaking techniques to create these almost stark, graphic images. And like Vallotton, Besnard seems to be saying that art isn't about perfection, but about embracing the happy accidents and the unexpected turns along the way.