By the Lamp (Sous la Lampe)

Albert Besnard

National Gallery of Art

This image is an etching depicting two people and shows only their upper bodies. One figure is on the left, sitting at a desk or table, leaning slightly forward with an arm resting on the surface. This person's facial features are softly sketched and appear somewhat blurred, with an indistinct expression. The hair is short and blends into the background. The second person sits to the right, slightly in front, with similar indistinct facial features and short hair. Both figures wear dark clothing. The table in front of them is cluttered with papers, and the adult figure holds a piece of paper or document. A lamp to their left casts light onto the scene, creating a contrast between light and shadow. The background is filled with crosshatched lines.