Artwork
Woman and Two Children with German Soldiers
Woman and Two Children with German Soldiers 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 center margin, graphite, artist's hand. Not dated. "A2370" lower right margin, 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
Jean-Louis Forain’s drawing Woman and Two Children with German Soldiers, executed circa 1916, is a black‑ink composition on laid paper. The work measures a modest size and presents a compact group of figures rendered in swift, confident strokes that emphasize contour over modelling.
Subject & Meaning
The scene captures a civilian woman and her two children walking alongside two uniformed men identified as German soldiers. The figures are positioned closely, suggesting a forced proximity that conveys the tension of daily life under occupation during World War I.
Technique & Style
Forain employed a brush and black ink, applying thick, unmodulated lines that define forms with minimal detail. The drawing relies on stark contrasts between inked areas and the white of the paper, using occasional cross‑hatching to suggest texture while leaving much of the surface untouched to imply light.
History & Provenance
Created during the later phase of Forain’s career, the work reflects the artist’s shift toward socially charged subjects. Though Forain was better known for his satirical prints and genre scenes, this drawing aligns with his wartime output and was likely circulated among his commercial contacts before entering a museum collection.
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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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