Frontispiece for "L'Affaire Clémenceau"

Albert Besnard

National Gallery of Art

The image depicts two individuals. The first person is a man sitting in a chair at a desk or table, shown from the waist up. He leans to his side, resting his chin on his hand, with his gaze directed downward. His facial features include a moustache, furrowed brow, and curly hair. He is dressed in a dark coat with a closed collar. On the desk in front of him are a stack of books and a large open book. The second individual is a woman shown reclined, likely asleep or resting on a soft surface. Her body is depicted from head to knee, lying with an arm outstretched across what appears to be a cushion or pillow. Her facial features are delicate, with eyes closed and long, flowing hair cascading around her head. She is draped in a fabric or light garment. The background is plain and unadorned.