Who painted a) Ludus pro Populo (recto); b) Head of a Man (verso)?

a) Ludus pro Populo (recto); b) Head of a Man (verso) was painted by Jean-Louis Forain in 1892.

Where can I see a) Ludus pro Populo (recto); b) Head of a Man (verso)?

a) Ludus pro Populo (recto); b) Head of a Man (verso) is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is a) Ludus pro Populo (recto); b) Head of a Man (verso)?

a) Ludus pro Populo (recto); b) Head of a Man (verso) is associated with Impressionism.

Can I buy a print of a) Ludus pro Populo (recto); b) Head of a Man (verso)?

Museum-quality prints of a) Ludus pro Populo (recto); b) Head of a Man (verso) are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

a) Ludus pro Populo (recto); b) Head of a Man (verso)

Jean-Louis Forain , 1892

a) Ludus pro Populo (recto); b) Head of a Man (verso) is a crayon drawing by the Impressionist artist Jean-Louis Forain. It dates from 1892 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art. Jean‑Louis Forain, a French artist active in the late 19th century, produced a double‑sided drawing in 1892.

Inscription: Inscribed:"forain" lower right composition, black crayon, artist's hand. Not dated. "Ludus pro populo" upper right margin, black crayon, artist's hand. "-qu 'est-ce que vous faites? / -On joue a faire semblant de manager!" lower center composition, black crayon, artist's hand. "10" lower center margin, graphite, unknown hand. "Reduire à 21 de haut" lower right margin, graphite, artist's hand. "587" lower right margin, graphite, unknown hand. Verso: none.
Markings: Marked:"LRJ" verso, black stamped ink, (Lugt 1760b). "National Gallery of Art" verso, black stamped ink, (Lugt 1932d).

About this work

Overview

Jean‑Louis Forain, a French artist active in the late 19th century, produced a double‑sided drawing in 1892. Both sides are executed in black crayon on wove paper and are catalogued as a single work comprising a recto titled Ludus pro Populo and a verso titled Head of a Man. The piece exemplifies Forain’s practice of working across several media while maintaining a consistent drawing technique.

Subject & Meaning

The recto, Ludus pro Populo, depicts a scene of public amusement, suggesting a glimpse into popular entertainment of the period. The verso, Head of a Man, offers a focused portrait study, concentrating on the sitter’s facial features and expression, thereby contrasting a narrative tableau with an intimate character study.

Technique & Style

Forain employed a black crayon to render both compositions, exploiting the medium’s capacity for swift, gestural lines and subtle tonal variation. The use of wove paper provides a smooth surface that supports fine detail while allowing the crayon’s pigment to rest evenly, characteristic of his drawing practice during the 1890s.

History & Provenance

Created in 1892, the drawing reflects Forain’s productive period when he was widely exhibited and published. While specific ownership records are not detailed here, the work is documented as part of the artist’s oeuvre that circulated among collectors and institutions during his lifetime, underscoring his reputation as a versatile figure within the French Impressionist milieu.

a) Au congres de la Paix (recto); b) Untitled (verso), Jean-Louis Forain

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Artist & collection

Artist

Jean-Louis Forain

Jean-Louis Forain (French pronunciation:; 23 October 1852 – 11 July 1931) was a French Impressionist painter and printmaker, working in media including oils, watercolour, pastel, etching and lithograph.