Artwork
French Soldier Addressing Germania
French Soldier Addressing Germania is an ink 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 margin, graphite, artist's hand. Not dated. "Si ca continue... "Qu'allons nous encore perdre? "Les Neutres."" lower margin, graphite, unknown hand. "A 2316" 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
French Soldier Addressing Germania is a drawing by Jean-Louis Forain, created circa 1916 on laid paper using brush and brown ink alongside black crayon.
Subject & Meaning
The drawing portrays a French soldier, identifiable by his helmet and rifle, addressing Germania, a female allegorical figure symbolizing Germany. She is depicted in a robe and helmet, seated behind a table, suggesting a formal or authoritative setting.
Technique & Style
Forain executed the work in his characteristic graphic and illustrative style, combining brown ink and black crayon to achieve a simple yet impactful visual composition.
History & Provenance
Created during World War I, the drawing reflects the wartime context. Notably, Forain's reputation, once surpassing many of his Impressionist contemporaries, has since been eclipsed by others.
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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.
