Model Asleep on the Floor 1885

Paul-Albert Besnard's "Model Asleep on the Floor" uses etching to depict a figure in repose. The composition draws us in through its intimate portrayal of vulnerability. Besnard’s work, at first glance, is a study in contrasts; soft curves of the model’s body against the angular, scratchy lines of the surrounding floor and background. The artist balances the human form with its environment in a semiotic exchange. The rough marks denote texture and depth, yet also communicate the discomfort implicit in the model’s position. Note how the hatching and cross-hatching techniques used to model the flesh create a sense of volume and presence, against the flatness of the picture plane. The etching’s emphasis on line and form over color invites us to focus on the language of the body. Ultimately, Besnard’s manipulation of the etching medium is a powerful commentary on the act of observation. The formal elements of the artwork provoke questions about the relationship between artist, model, and viewer.