Albert Besnard was a good friend of fellow artist Henri Lerolle, whose wife Madeleine and daughter Yvonne are the subjects of this double portrait set in a studio. The artist’s profession is referenced in the large portfolios of drawings at lower right, and the easel at upper left, which displays a canvas tipped forward at an unusual angle. The canvas has been strapped to the easel in this position so the artist can more easily paint while seated.