Artwork
Toward Peace
Toward Peace 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. ""Nous allons bientot retourner dans nos maisons." "Pensez a moi les jours de pluie..."" lower left margin, graphite, unknown hand. "A 2346" 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
Toward Peace is a drawing created by Jean-Louis Forain around 1916. It is executed in black crayon and brush with black and brown ink on wove paper.
Subject & Meaning
The drawing depicts a tense scene between a woman in civilian attire and two men in military uniforms, set against a rugged outdoor backdrop. The figures' postures and the rough environment suggest a moment of strained interaction or negotiation.
Technique & Style
Forain employed rapid, expressive lines and heavy shading to capture the play of light and shadow. The drawing's sketchy, unfinished quality conveys a sense of haste or spontaneity, with some areas left rough and unrefined. Techniques such as cross-hatching may have been used to build texture.
Context
Forain's work was influenced by contemporary themes, and Toward Peace reflects his engagement with the issues of his time, likely related to World War I given its circa 1916 date and the presence of military figures.
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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.
