Artwork
Sur la ligne de feu
Sur la ligne de feu 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. "Sur la ligne de feu" upper left margin, graphite, artist's hand. "Route vue de l'ennemi" upper left margin, graphite, unknown. " -Cache ton drapeau!" lower left margin, graphite, artist's hand. ""Cache ton drapeau! Tu vas te faire tuer!" lower center margin, graphite, unknown hand. "A 2389" lower right 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
Sur la ligne de feu is a drawing created by Jean-Louis Forain around 1916, executed in black crayon and ink on wove paper.
Subject & Meaning
The drawing depicts a chaotic scene with people and horses, conveying a sense of urgency and action, likely referencing the events of World War I.
Technique & Style
Forain employed bold lines and minimal shading, using black crayon with brush and black ink to achieve a dynamic, quickly sketched effect.
History & Provenance
Forain, a French artist associated with Impressionism, was active in various mediums and enjoyed relative success during his lifetime, though his reputation later diminished.
Context
The drawing reflects Forain's engagement with contemporary subjects, specifically the turmoil of World War I.
Own this work as a print
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.
Poilu Acknowledging German Soldier
Lost Illusions
7me 1914
a) Le replis boche (recto); b) Sketch for the Figure of the German (verso)
a) Au front de Vincennes, Bolo pacha (recto); b) Sketch for Au front de Vincennes, Bolo pacha (verso)
Le retour du permissionnaire. -Tu Tombes a pie!
a) Two Soldiers in a Trench (recto); b) Interior with Figures Seated Behind Table (verso)
a) Looking for the Enemy (recto); b) Sketch for Looking for the Enemy (verso)
Voilà le Moment de le chantes tun "Wacht am Rhein"
a) C'est trop dangereux pres de votre ambulance (recto); b) Study of Mother and Children (verso)
News in the Trenches
Au Pireê. -Le depart des boches.