The title of this powerful painting by modern painter Henri Martin appears to refer to the gruesome story Bérénice by Edgar Allan Poe.
In the story, Egaeus wakes up to discover the teeth of his cousin Bérénice in a box, having become obsessed with her and removing them from her grave in a trance.Inspired by the powerful symbolism in this story, the portrait nods to Martin’s early interest in the symbolist movement as a whole. He was known to be an avid reader of symbolist poetry by the likes of Baudelaire and Verlaine, as well as the writings of Poe.
This haunting work joins an outstanding collection of 19th-century French paintings at the Scottish National Gallery in Edinburgh.
More information
Title of artwork, date
Berenice, 1885
Date supported
2021
Medium and material
Oil on canvas
Dimensions
55 x 46 cm
Total cost
75000
Get a National Art Pass and explore National Galleries Scotland: Portrait
You'll see more art and your membership will help museums across the UK
National Art Pass offers available at National Galleries Scotland: Portrait
Art Funded by you FAQs
Contact us
If you have a question about a work of art featured here, please contact the Programmes team. We’ll be happy to answer your enquiry.