Le decavé (Cleared Out)
1914
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1914
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
Dominant colour
Le decavé (Cleared Out) is a 1914 ink by Jean-Louis Forain, held at National Gallery of Art.
This sketch shows two people standing close together in a dimly lit room. The person on the left is reaching out, while the other leans in slightly. Behind them, a third figure sits with their head down, and a table with a lamp is visible in the background. The lines are rough and scratchy, giving the whole scene a hurried, sketchy feel. The artist used a technique that lets ink sit on a smooth stone before pressing paper onto it—this is how the image’s rough texture works. The scene looks like a quiet moment frozen in time, but the drawing’s quick strokes make it feel alive. Try looking up lithography to see how this printing method works.
