Le bon samaritain (The Good Samaritan)

1909

Jean-Louis Forain

Associated Names
Jean-Louis Forain

Artist, French, 1852 - 1931

This is a drawing that shows a lion attacking a reclining figure along with abstract lines indicating motion or action. The composition includes dynamic lines creating a sense of movement. A dark mass on the left represents the lion, depicted with intense strokes suggesting fur and form. The right side shows the contours of a figure, possibly a fallen victim, with less detail. The background has flowing lines that could symbolize wind or atmosphere, enhancing the dramatic tension. The drawing uses a monochromatic palette to emphasize the scene's starkness and drama.

Media Options

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    etching on laid Van Gelder paper

  • Credit Line

    Rosenwald Collection

  • Dimensions

    image: 29 × 38.8 cm (11 7/16 × 15 1/4 in.)
    plate: 30.1 × 39.8 cm (11 7/8 × 15 11/16 in.)
    sheet: 41.6 × 50.8 cm (16 3/8 × 20 in.)

  • Accession Number

    1943.3.3757

  • Catalogue Raisonné

    Faxon 1982, no. 60, State iii/iii

Artwork history & notes

Provenance

Lessing J. Rosenwald [1891-1979], Jenkintown, PA; gift to NGA, 1943.

Associated Names

Bibliography

1982

  • Faxon, Alicia Craig. Jean-Louis Forain: A Catalogue Raisonne of the Prints. New York: Garland Publishing, Inc., 1982.

Inscriptions

"forain" lower right margin, graphite, artist's hand. Not dated. "G 49III" lower left margin, graphite, unknown hand. Verso: none.

Markings

"LRJ" verso, black stamped ink, (Lugt 1760b). "National Gallery of Art" verso, black stamped ink, (Lugt 1932d).

Watermarks

[crowned Strasburg lily] "VGL / VAN GELDER ZON[EN]"

Wikidata ID

Q64959288

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