The drawing depicts two figures, both shown from head to toe. The figure on the left is in an animated position, with one arm extended outward and the other reaching towards the second figure. This person has distinct facial features, including a prominent nose and a closed mouth, and is wearing a brimmed cap. Their clothing appears to be a long coat or robe, drawn in lighter strokes of pencil. The second figure, on the right, stands facing the first figure with their hands near their sides. This person's facial features are less defined. They are wearing a similar style of clothing but with less detail. There is no jewelry visible on either figure, and no objects are being held. The background consists of light sketching, suggesting a rough, rocky terrain or rubble.
Read the visual description

The drawing depicts two figures, both shown from head to toe. The figure on the left is in an animated position, with one arm extended outward and the other reaching towards the second figure. This person has distinct facial features, including a prominent nose and a closed mouth, and is wearing a brimmed cap. Their clothing appears to be a long coat or robe, drawn in lighter strokes of pencil. The second figure, on the right, stands facing the first figure with their hands near their sides. This person's facial features are less defined. They are wearing a similar style of clothing but with less detail. There is no jewelry visible on either figure, and no objects are being held. The background consists of light sketching, suggesting a rough, rocky terrain or rubble.

National Gallery of Art · Drawing

a) Kammerade. Porquoi cette froideur? (recto); b) Study for German Figure (verso)

Jean-Louis Forain

Date
c. 1914/1919
Medium
a) black crayon on wove paper b) black crayon on wove paper
Dimensions
overall: 37.7 x 51.3 cm (14 13/16 x 20 3/16 in.)
Classification
Drawing
Accession number
1943.3.4061.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 margin, graphite, artist's hand. Not dated. "Kammerade" upper left margin, graphite, artist's hand. "-Porquoi cetter froideur?" lower center margin, graphite, artist's hand. "Sans rancune. Fritz. "Mais presque je te dis que je ne t'en veuse pas!"" lower left margin, graphite, unknown hand. "A 2366" lower right margin, graphite, unknown hand. Verso: none.

Marks

"LRJ" verso, black stamped ink, (Lugt 1760b). "National Gallery of Art" verso, black stamped ink, (Lugt 1932d).

Watermarks

"CHAPRON-COQUELIN-[PARIS]"

NGA object ID 7179. 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.