Who painted Le Front de Vincennes?

Le Front de Vincennes was painted by Jean-Louis Forain in 1916.

Where can I see Le Front de Vincennes?

Le Front de Vincennes is held by National Gallery of Art.

Can I buy a print of Le Front de Vincennes?

Museum-quality prints of Le Front de Vincennes are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Le Front de Vincennes

Jean-Louis Forain , 1916

Le Front de Vincennes is a print 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, in plate, artist's hand. "f." lower right composition, graphite, artist's hand. Not dated. "LE FRONT DE VINCENNES" upper left margin, in plate, artist's hand. "-ne te fatigues pasíon le n'y en a girun de commandé" lower margin, in plate, artist's hand. "33524MK." lower left 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

Created in 1916, Le Front de Vincennes is a collotype print on laid paper by French artist Jean‑Louis Forain. Known primarily for his Impressionist paintings, Forain also worked extensively in print media, and this work exemplifies his engagement with the medium during the First World War period.

Subject & Meaning

The image presents two soldiers on a dusty road, one gripping a slender implement that may be a rifle or a staff, the other holding a shovel. A cylindrical form, perhaps a cannon or pipe, looms in the background. The stark charcoal rendering and subdued palette convey a somber, wartime atmosphere, emphasizing the labor and vigilance of the figures.

Technique & Style

Forain employed the collotype process, a photomechanical method that reproduces fine tonal gradations on a textured laid paper. The print’s chiaroscuro, contrasting deep blacks with lighter washes, creates depth and drama, echoing the tonal qualities of his charcoal studies while retaining the precision characteristic of early 20th‑century printmaking.

History & Provenance

The work emerged amid the upheavals of World War I, reflecting contemporary concerns about the front lines near Vincennes. While specific ownership records are limited, the piece has been documented in catalogues of Forain’s prints and is held in several public collections that focus on French Impressionist and wartime graphic art.

Au front de Champagne - Les dernieres prieres, Jean-Louis Forain

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Artist & collection

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.