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The image shows a sketch of five figures' upper bodies. The central figure on the right wears a uniform with a plumed helmet and has a broad mustache. To the left are four smaller figures, depicted with only their heads and shoulders. The facial features are detailed with shading to express various emotions. The figures are cloaked in loose garments, with some holding their heads in their hands. The background is minimalistic, with lightly sketched lines hinting at a vast, open space or distant structures. The sketch is in black ink on a beige surface, emphasizing the expressive nature of the figures.
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The image shows a sketch of five figures' upper bodies. The central figure on the right wears a uniform with a plumed helmet and has a broad mustache. To the left are four smaller figures, depicted with only their heads and shoulders. The facial features are detailed with shading to express various emotions. The figures are cloaked in loose garments, with some holding their heads in their hands. The background is minimalistic, with lightly sketched lines hinting at a vast, open space or distant structures. The sketch is in black ink on a beige surface, emphasizing the expressive nature of the figures.

National Gallery of Art · Drawing

a) Si ils avaient vaincu (recto); b) Sketch of Si ils avaient vaincu (verso)

Jean-Louis Forain

Date
c. 1919
Medium
a) brush and black ink on laid Van Gelder paper b) brush and black ink on laid Van Gelder paper
Dimensions
overall: 46 x 56.7 cm (18 1/8 x 22 5/16 in.)
Classification
Drawing
Accession number
1943.3.4114.a-b
Credit line
Rosenwald Collection
Time span
1901 to 1925
Department
CG-E
Original NGA record Wikidata

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. "Si ils avaient vaincu." lower center margin, graphite, artist's hand. ""Fous afez teux heures pour signer le traité"" lower left margin, graphite, unknown hand. "A. 2284" lower right margin, graphite, unknown hand. "2g affichis. / 6 dont: Servir / 4 aff. humor[illeg.] 1 gou / 4 f. do 1 né[illeg.] / Congrès Eucharistique/ 3 du 1e état." verso, upper right sheet, graphite, artist's hand.

Marks

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

Watermarks

[Fortune figure] / "VAN GELDER ZONEN"

NGA object ID 7233. 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.