Read the visual description
The painting depicts figures in a setting with rough brushstrokes and subdued colors. A cloaked figure is in the foreground, with other figures and architectural elements in the background. The style blends Impressionistic brushwork with realistic detail, reminiscent of Kathe Kollwitz's work.
National Gallery of Art · Drawing
a) Après Douai (After Douai) (recto); b) Figure (verso)
Jean-Louis Forain
- Date
- probably 1918
- Medium
- a) watercolor, brush and black ink, and black crayon on laid paper b) black crayon on laid paper
- Dimensions
- overall: 31.5 x 48 cm (12 3/8 x 18 7/8 in.)
- Classification
- Drawing
- Accession number
- 1943.3.4015.a-b
- 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 composition, graphite, artist's hand. Not dated. "Après Douai. "Les troupes allemandes ont reçu l'ordre le plus formel d'éparqher la propriété privée." -Solf. / "Sans doute, l'ordre h'était pas encore arrivé...." verso, lower left sheet, graphite, unknown hand. "A2163" verso, lower right sheet, graphite, unknown hand.
Marks
"LRJ" verso, black stamped ink, (Lugt 1760b). "National Gallery of Art" verso, black stamped ink, (Lugt 1932d).
Watermarks
None.
NGA object ID 7133. 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.