Read the visual description
The image is a pencil drawing depicting two full-length figures in an outdoor setting. The figures are positioned side by side, facing towards the left. Both figures are wearing hats, one with a broad brim and the other a rounded cap. They are wearing loose, coat-like clothing with minimal facial details. The first figure carries a crossbody bag. The ground and distant background are minimally sketched with rough strokes, suggesting a landscape with hills and two rectangular shapes that could represent buildings or signs.
National Gallery of Art · Drawing
a) In the Trenches (recto); b) Study for In the Trenches (verso)
Jean-Louis Forain
- Date
- c. 1914/1919
- Medium
- a) black crayon with black and grey wash on wove paper b) black crayon and brush and black ink on wove paper
- Dimensions
- overall: 37.1 x 52.9 cm (14 5/8 x 20 13/16 in.)
- Classification
- Drawing
- Accession number
- 1943.3.4120.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. "Leur Couloirs. "Ici, on ne parle pas."" lower left margin, graphite, unknown hand. "A2174" 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 7239. 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.