Artwork
Elles étaient à lacets
Elles étaient à lacets is a watercolor drawing by Jean-Louis Forain. It dates from 1916 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
- Inscription
- Inscribed:"forain" lower right composition, graphite, artist's hand. Not dated. "61 x 59 c 31 cache 69 bulle" right center margin, graphite, unknown hand. "25 2es deux Ecoles. A Freshes-les-Run qis. "Elles étaient à lacets"" verso, lower left sheet, graphite, unknown hand.
- Markings
- Marked:"LRJ" verso, black stamped ink, (Lugt 1760b). "National Gallery of Art" verso, black stamped ink, (Lugt 1932d).
About this work
Overview
Elles étaient à lacets is a drawing created by Jean-Louis Forain around 1916, executed in watercolor and black crayon on wove paper.
Subject & Meaning
The drawing depicts a serene street scene with three figures: two reclining on the ground, wrapped in blankets, and one standing against a fence with a blurred face. The scene conveys a sense of quiet repose.
Technique & Style
Forain's loose, sketchy lines and muted color palette, dominated by browns and grays, create a sense of spontaneity and informality. The use of watercolor and black crayon adds to the work's expressive, rough-hewn quality.
Context
Forain was a French artist associated with the Impressionist movement, although his work maintained a distinct character. He worked in various mediums, including watercolor, and achieved significant success during his lifetime.
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Artist & collection
Artist
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.
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