The image shows a sketched scene with two individuals depicted in a minimalistic and somewhat abstract style. One person is standing, slightly bent forward, while the other is seated and facing to the side. The standing figure has a long face with prominent cheekbones, almond-shaped eyes, a long nose, and a mouth turned downward. They wear a long, dark garment with a head covering. The seated figure is partially covered with a robe or cloak and also wears a head covering. The background is minimalistic, with bare lines suggesting a corner and providing a stark contrast to the detailed figures.
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The image shows a sketched scene with two individuals depicted in a minimalistic and somewhat abstract style. One person is standing, slightly bent forward, while the other is seated and facing to the side. The standing figure has a long face with prominent cheekbones, almond-shaped eyes, a long nose, and a mouth turned downward. They wear a long, dark garment with a head covering. The seated figure is partially covered with a robe or cloak and also wears a head covering. The background is minimalistic, with bare lines suggesting a corner and providing a stark contrast to the detailed figures.

National Gallery of Art · Drawing

At the Peace Conference

Jean-Louis Forain

Date
c. 1919
Medium
brush and black ink and black crayon on laid paper
Dimensions
overall: 55.5 x 43.7 cm (21 7/8 x 17 3/16 in.)
Classification
Drawing
Accession number
1943.3.9052
Credit line
Rosenwald Collection
Time span
1901 to 1925
Department
CG-E

Subjects and terms

  • French
  • Impressionist
  • World War I
  • military
Provenance

Lessing J. Rosenwald [1891-1979], Jenkintown, PA; gift to NGA, 1943.

Inscription

"forain" lower right margin, graphite, artist's hand. Not dated. "À la Conférence de la Paix. "Tu comprends?.." "Non, j'attends qu'on parle Francais."" lower left margin, graphite, unknown hand. "? La France écoutante" lower right margin, graphite, unknown hand. 'A 2281" lower right margin, graphite, unknown hand. Verso: none.

Marks

"LRJ" verso, black stamped ink, (Lugt 1760b).

Watermarks

"j l. forain"

NGA object ID 11560. Collection metadata is reproduced under CC0. This work is included because its NGA published-image record is marked open access; visitors should recheck the source record before substantial reuse.