The image is a drawing showing small stones or rocks scattered in a flowing body of water. The perspective is slightly elevated, with no distinct horizon line visible. The rocks are partially submerged and depicted with flowing lines. The drawing uses quick, loose strokes in reddish-brown and dark gray tones, giving an impressionistic feel. The color palette is soft and minimal, with pale beige paper and contrast from reddish-brown tones. In the distance, the marks become lighter, creating depth. The artist has signed the piece at the bottom, along with a small handwritten note.
Read the visual description

The image is a drawing showing small stones or rocks scattered in a flowing body of water. The perspective is slightly elevated, with no distinct horizon line visible. The rocks are partially submerged and depicted with flowing lines. The drawing uses quick, loose strokes in reddish-brown and dark gray tones, giving an impressionistic feel. The color palette is soft and minimal, with pale beige paper and contrast from reddish-brown tones. In the distance, the marks become lighter, creating depth. The artist has signed the piece at the bottom, along with a small handwritten note.

National Gallery of Art · Drawing

Au fil de la marne

Jean-Louis Forain

Date
1918
Medium
red chalk, black crayon, and graphite on wove paper
Dimensions
overall: 32.5 x 50.2 cm (12 13/16 x 19 3/4 in.)
Classification
Drawing
Accession number
1943.3.4073
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 / juin 1918" lower right margin, graphite, artist's hand. "au fil de la marne," lower center margin, graphite, artist's hand. ""L'offensive" est dan l'eau. "Il parait que c'etait vou lu."" lower left margin, graphite, unknown hand. "A. 2309" 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

None.

NGA object ID 7192. 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.