Artwork

L'ambulante au parapluie (Walker with an Umbrella)

L'ambulante au parapluie (Walker with an Umbrella), by Jean-Louis Forain, ink, 1880
L'ambulante au parapluie (Walker with an Umbrella), by Jean-Louis Forain, ink, 1880

L'ambulante au parapluie (Walker with an Umbrella) is an ink print by the Impressionist artist Jean-Louis Forain. It dates from 1880 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

Inscription
Inscribed:"forain" lower center composition, in plate, artist's hand. "forain" lower right margin, graphite, artist's hand. "G22 only" lower left margin, graphite, unknown hand. "G.22. L'ambulante au parapluie" lower center margin, graphite, unknown hand. "A26525" 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

L'ambulante au parapluie (Walker with an Umbrella) is an etching on laid Van Gelder paper created by French artist Jean-Louis Forain around 1880. The print is representative of Forain's work in printmaking, a medium in which he achieved significant success during his lifetime.

Subject & Meaning

The etching depicts a woman walking with her back to the viewer, holding an umbrella. The loose, expressive lines convey a sense of movement and immediacy, capturing a fleeting moment in time. The subject is rendered in a straightforward manner, with the artist's focus on the overall impression rather than precise detail.

Technique & Style

Forain employed etching techniques to create the print, using a metal plate to produce the image on paper. The resulting work is characterized by loose, sketch-like lines and a sense of spontaneity, with the subject emerging from a blurred background. The style is typical of Forain's graphic works, which often featured bold, expressive marks.

The Walker
The Walker, Jean-Louis Forain

Artist & collection

Portrait of Jean-Louis Forain

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.

This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: National Gallery of Art open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.

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Frequently asked questions

Who painted L'ambulante au parapluie (Walker with an Umbrella)?

L'ambulante au parapluie (Walker with an Umbrella) was painted by Jean-Louis Forain in 1880.

Where can I see L'ambulante au parapluie (Walker with an Umbrella)?

L'ambulante au parapluie (Walker with an Umbrella) is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is L'ambulante au parapluie (Walker with an Umbrella)?

L'ambulante au parapluie (Walker with an Umbrella) is associated with Impressionism.

Can I buy a print of L'ambulante au parapluie (Walker with an Umbrella)?

Museum-quality prints of L'ambulante au parapluie (Walker with an Umbrella) are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.