Artwork
Soldier in a Trench (recto)
Soldier in a Trench (recto) is a drawing by Jean-Louis Forain. It dates from 1915 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
- Accession no.
- 1924.331.a
- Credit line
- Dudley P. Allen Fund
About this work
If you're interested in learning more about the artist who created this work, you might want to look up Jean Louis Forain (French, 1852–1931).
This painting depicts a soldier in a trench, with the soldier's face and body visible. The soldier is wearing a hat and a long coat, and is holding a rifle. The background of the painting is a light brown color, with some darker brown brushstrokes visible.
The painting has a rough, unfinished quality to it, with visible brushstrokes and a sense of spontaneity. The artist's use of color and composition creates a sense of depth and dimensionality, drawing the viewer's eye into the scene.
If you're interested in learning more about the artist who created this work, you might want to look up Jean Louis Forain (French, 1852–1931).
Overview
Soldier in a Trench (recto) is a 1915 drawing by French artist Jean Louis Forain, currently in the collection of The Cleveland Museum of Art.
Subject & Meaning
The work depicts a soldier in a trench, emphasizing the individual's presence through the visible face and body, clad in a hat, long coat, and holding a rifle, conveying a sense of wartime reality.
Technique & Style
Forain executed the piece with visible, expressive brushstrokes, predominantly in light and dark brown hues, imparting a rough, spontaneous quality while achieving depth through compositional choices.
History & Provenance
Created in 1915, the drawing is part of The Cleveland Museum of Art's holdings, with its pre-acquisition history not detailed here.
Context
Produced during World War I, the drawing reflects the era's focus on wartime experiences, though its specific inspiration or commission context is not provided.
Legacy
As a work by Forain, it contributes to the artist's oeuvre documenting wartime, though its individual impact or influence on subsequent art is not explicitly noted in available information.
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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.
