Le café de la Nouvelle Athènes (The Cafe of the New Athens)
1876
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1876
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
Le café de la Nouvelle Athènes (The Cafe of the New Athens) is a 1876 ink by Jean-Louis Forain, a Impressionism work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This sketch shows three people in a dimly lit café. One woman in a dark dress sits with her back to us, holding a fan. A man in a top hat leans over a table, talking to another man who’s also wearing a hat and holding a glass. The walls are lined with mirrors, and a violin hangs on the wall. The artist used quick, sketchy lines to capture movement and mood. This style fits the café’s lively but slightly chaotic vibe. Next, check out etching to see how artists create prints like this one.
