The Requisition

The Requisition (1919) by Jean-Louis Forain entered the National Gallery of Art through a 1943 gift from collector Lessing J. Rosenwald, who had acquired it in 1929 from dealer Charles Sessler in Philadelphia. The painting remains in the museum's permanent collection and is cited in its archival records as a representative example of Forain's genre scenes depicting urban and theatrical life. Its inclusion in the National Gallery's holdings has contributed to sustained scholarly attention on Forain's role in early 20th-century French painting, though specific exhibition histories or direct influence on later artists are not documented in the provided sources.

The work is cataloged in the National Gallery of Art's collection with dimensions of 50 centimeters in height and 61 centimeters in width, consistent with standard measurements for oil-on-canvas paintings of its period.

Created circa 1919 by French artist Jean‑Louis Forain, The Requisition is an oil on canvas that belongs to the genre‑scene tradition. Executed after the First World War, the work reflects Forain’s continued interest in portraying ordinary moments and the social dynamics of his time, situating the painting within the broader post‑Impressionist current.

The canvas concentrates on a small group of figures gathered in a close setting, appearing to engage in a serious discussion. Their postures and gestures, leaning forward, clasped hands, and attentive gazes, communicate a sense of collective concern, suggesting themes of civic duty or communal decision‑making typical of Forain’s socially observant approach.