Albert Besnard
Crossing the Bridge
1879-1889
Physical Qualities
Transparent and opaque watercolor over graphite on paper, Sheet: 350 x 250 mm. (13 3/4 x 9 13/16 in.)
Credit Line
The George A. Lucas Collection, purchased with funds from the State of Maryland, Laurence and Stella Bendann Fund, and contributions from individuals, foundations, and corporations throughout the Baltimore community
Object Number
1996.48.18813
The winner of the coveted Prix de Rome in 1874, Paul-Albert Besnard straddled the disparate worlds of academic and avant-garde art. In Crossing the Bridge of 1885, he layers transparent washes of blue and red to depict a young urban worker carrying a bundle of laundry. The solid construction of the figure reveals a love of classical prototypes, while the flattened space and incandescent colors suggest an interest
in Impressionism.
The Baltimore Museum of Art by purchase, 1996; The Maryland Institute College of Art,
through Henry Walters, Baltimore, by bequest 1909; from George A. Lucas, Paris
through Henry Walters, Baltimore, by bequest 1909; from George A. Lucas, Paris
The Maryland Institute, Baltimore, 'Exhibition of Paintings, Bronzes, and Porcelains from the George A. Lucas Collection,' 1911, p. 41, no. 193.
The Baltimore Museum of Art, 'Selection of Paintings and Watercolors from the George A. Lucas Collection', 1934.
The Baltimore Museum of Art, 'A Century of Baltimore Collecting, 1840-1940', June 6-Sept. 1, 1941, p. 35.
The Baltimore Museum of Art, 'The George A. Lucas Collection of the Maryland Institute', Oct. 12-Nov. 21, 1965, p. 64, no. 311.
The Baltimore Museum of Art, Downtown Gallery, 'Selections from the Lucas Collection', July 21-Aug. 22, 1975.
The Baltimore Museum of Art, 'Watercolors and Drawings from the George A. Lucas Collection', July 24-Oct. 14, 1990.
Jay Fisher, BMA, "A Continuing Example: Prints and Drawings from the George A. Lucas Collection," 4 February - 9 April, 1995.
Jay Fisher, BMA, "Degas and the Little Dancer in Context," 4 October 1998-3 January 1999
Jay Fisher et al, 'The Essence of Line: French Drawings from Ingres to Degas,' The Baltimore Museum of Art, June 19-Sept. 11, 2005; circulated to Birmingham Museum of Art and Tacoma Art Museum through Sept. 2006.
Joanna Karlgaard and Robin Owen Joyce, BMA, "Deconstructing Nature: Environmental Transformation in the Lucas Collection," August 27, 2025 - January 11, 2026.
The Baltimore Museum of Art, 'Selection of Paintings and Watercolors from the George A. Lucas Collection', 1934.
The Baltimore Museum of Art, 'A Century of Baltimore Collecting, 1840-1940', June 6-Sept. 1, 1941, p. 35.
The Baltimore Museum of Art, 'The George A. Lucas Collection of the Maryland Institute', Oct. 12-Nov. 21, 1965, p. 64, no. 311.
The Baltimore Museum of Art, Downtown Gallery, 'Selections from the Lucas Collection', July 21-Aug. 22, 1975.
The Baltimore Museum of Art, 'Watercolors and Drawings from the George A. Lucas Collection', July 24-Oct. 14, 1990.
Jay Fisher, BMA, "A Continuing Example: Prints and Drawings from the George A. Lucas Collection," 4 February - 9 April, 1995.
Jay Fisher, BMA, "Degas and the Little Dancer in Context," 4 October 1998-3 January 1999
Jay Fisher et al, 'The Essence of Line: French Drawings from Ingres to Degas,' The Baltimore Museum of Art, June 19-Sept. 11, 2005; circulated to Birmingham Museum of Art and Tacoma Art Museum through Sept. 2006.
Joanna Karlgaard and Robin Owen Joyce, BMA, "Deconstructing Nature: Environmental Transformation in the Lucas Collection," August 27, 2025 - January 11, 2026.
Fisher, Jay McKean, et al. The Essence of Line: French drawings from Ingres to Degas. University Park, PA: Pennsylvania State University Press, 2005, p. 110-111, ill.
Inscribed: lower right in watercolor: "'Besn[ard]"
