Artwork
Scène de cabinet particulier (planche en largeur au lavis) (Scene in a Private Room) (horizontal plate)
Scène de cabinet particulier (planche en largeur au lavis) (Scene in a Private Room) (horizontal plate) is an ink print by the Impressionist artist Jean-Louis Forain. It dates from 1895 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Created around 1895, *Scène de cabinet particulier (planche en largeur au lavis)* is a horizontal lithographic print by French artist Jean‑Louis Forain. Executed in a uniform brown wash on wove Arches vellum paper, the work measures a wide format plate and presents a quiet interior scene rendered with minimal tonal variation.
Subject & Meaning
The image captures a modest private room bathed in subdued light. A solitary chair leans against a wall while a small table in the corner holds a lamp or candle, casting a soft glow that blurs the surrounding objects. The composition suggests an ordinary, unremarkable moment of domestic life, emphasizing atmosphere over narrative detail.
Technique & Style
Forain employed lithography, applying a brown wash that unifies the surface and creates a muted, tonal effect. The use of wove Arches vellum paper allows for smooth, even tones, while the limited palette reinforces the work’s intimate mood. The horizontal layout and restrained line work reflect the artist’s interest in capturing fleeting, everyday scenes with a quiet realism.
History & Provenance
Jean‑Louis Forain, known for his versatility across oil, watercolor, pastel, etching, and lithography, enjoyed considerable success during his lifetime, though his posthumous reputation has not matched that of some contemporaries. This particular print, produced in the mid‑1890s, remains documented in several museum collections, illustrating Forain’s prolific output in the print medium.
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.
