This is a drawing of a figure leaning forward and holding a rifle in a stark landscape. The drawing is executed in charcoal or pencil with strong, dynamic lines conveying a sense of motion. The figure is advancing through a flat, barren land with details like a plume of smoke in the background. The line work is simple, contrasting with the detailed shading on the figure's clothing and equipment. The landscape is sparse with minimal lines indicating the horizon. The composition focuses on the solitary figure, using negative space to evoke a sense of isolation or urgency.
Read the visual description

This is a drawing of a figure leaning forward and holding a rifle in a stark landscape. The drawing is executed in charcoal or pencil with strong, dynamic lines conveying a sense of motion. The figure is advancing through a flat, barren land with details like a plume of smoke in the background. The line work is simple, contrasting with the detailed shading on the figure's clothing and equipment. The landscape is sparse with minimal lines indicating the horizon. The composition focuses on the solitary figure, using negative space to evoke a sense of isolation or urgency.

National Gallery of Art · Drawing

7me 1914

Jean-Louis Forain

Date
c. 1914/1919
Medium
brush and black ink and black crayon on wove paper
Dimensions
overall: 32.4 x 50.2 cm (12 3/4 x 19 3/4 in.)
Classification
Drawing
Accession number
1943.3.4123
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. "7me 1914" lower left margin, graphite, artist's hand. "La grande Date." lower left margin, graphite, unknown hand. "PARIS" center right composition, graphite, artist's hand. "A 2337" 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 7242. 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.