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“Robert Besnard and His Donkey” (Robert Besnard et Son Ane), 1888

Paul-Albert Besnard

Lithograph

Location: LAC - M Bldg. Writing Center (M-115)

This etching captures a simple, intimate scene of the artist’s son Robert walking a donkey, rendered with fine lines that show both precision and a playful touch. Besnard was a master of light and composition, and even in a small print like this, you can see his skill in observation and subtle storytelling. The work reflects his interest in everyday life, combining realism with artistic flair, making the ordinary feel engaging and alive.

Besnard was more than a talented printmaker and painter. He played a huge role in shaping French art in his time. He studied at the École des Beaux-Arts, won the prestigious Prix de Rome, and later became a professor and director at the Académie Julian. He helped train a generation of artists, contributed murals to public buildings in Paris, and was elected to the French Academy of Fine Arts. His work bridges traditional academic techniques and modern approaches, leaving a lasting mark on both French painting and printmaking.

Written by student Issac Acosta, 2026

About the artist

Paul-Albert Besnard

French

1849–1934

Paul-Albert Besnard (1849–1934), commonly known as Albert Besnard, was a French painter and printmaker celebrated for his portraits, public murals, and expressive treatment of light and color. Born in Paris on June 2, 1849, he entered the École des Beaux-Arts in 1866 and studied under Alexandre Cabanel. In 1874, he won the prestigious Prix de Rome for The Death of Timophanes, which enabled him to continue his training in Italy. Académie française

After his stay in Rome, Besnard spent three years in England with his wife, the sculptor Charlotte Dubray. His mature style combined academic drawing and composition with the freer handling of color and light associated with Impressionism. He painted portraits, landscapes, and scenes of family life, while also developing a substantial practice in etching. In 1890, he helped found the Société Nationale des Beaux-Arts. Académie française

Besnard became an accomplished decorative painter, receiving commissions for major Parisian buildings, including the Hôtel de Ville, the Sorbonne, the Comédie-Française, and the Petit Palais. His travels to Algeria and India also supplied subjects for his paintings. Among his notable portraits is Madame Roger Jourdain (1886). Académie française

His later career brought prominent institutional appointments: he joined the Académie des Beaux-Arts in 1912, became director of the French Academy in Rome in 1913, and was appointed director of the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris in 1922. Elected to the Académie française in 1924, he died in Paris on December 4, 1934, aged 85. His work connects the traditions of French academic art with the interest in light and color that reshaped painting during his lifetime. Académie française

Image of artist