Artwork
Marshal Petain
Marshal Petain 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. "blood 19TH c. 26" verso, lower left sheet, graphite, unknown hand. "49I X 40 / 27" verso, lower center sheet, graphite, unknown hand. "General Petain" verso, lower right sheet, graphite, unknown hand.
- Markings
- Marked:"LRJ" verso, black stamped ink, (Lugt 1760b). "National Gallery of Art" verso, black stamped ink, (Lugt 1932d).
About this work
Overview
This drawing is a portrait of Marshal Petain, created by Jean-Louis Forain around 1916. It is executed in watercolor and pen and black ink on wove paper.
Subject & Meaning
The portrait depicts Marshal Petain, a French military leader, in a simple setting, wearing a uniform and conveying a serious expression. The straightforward representation captures the subject's likeness.
Technique & Style
Forain's use of bold lines and simple colors gives the portrait a sketch-like quality, suggesting a quick and informal execution. The artist's choice of medium and technique contributes to the work's direct and unadorned character.
Context
Jean-Louis Forain was a French artist known for his work in various mediums, including watercolor and printmaking. This drawing reflects his ability to capture a subject's essence through simple, expressive means.
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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.
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