a) Si ils avaient vaincu (recto); b) Sketch of Si ils avaient vaincu (verso)

c. 1919

Jean-Louis Forain

Associated Names
Jean-Louis Forain

Artist, French, 1852 - 1931

The image shows a sketch of five figures' upper bodies. The central figure on the right wears a uniform with a plumed helmet and has a broad mustache. To the left are four smaller figures, depicted with only their heads and shoulders. The facial features are detailed with shading to express various emotions. The figures are cloaked in loose garments, with some holding their heads in their hands. The background is minimalistic, with lightly sketched lines hinting at a vast, open space or distant structures. The sketch is in black ink on a beige surface, emphasizing the expressive nature of the figures.

Media Options

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    a) brush and black ink on laid Van Gelder paper b) brush and black ink on laid Van Gelder paper

  • Credit Line

    Rosenwald Collection

  • Dimensions

    overall: 46 x 56.7 cm (18 1/8 x 22 5/16 in.)

  • Accession Number

    1943.3.4114.a-b

Artwork history & notes

Provenance

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

Associated Names

Inscriptions

"forain" lower right margin, graphite, artist's hand. Not dated. "Si ils avaient vaincu." lower center margin, graphite, artist's hand. ""Fous afez teux heures pour signer le traité"" lower left margin, graphite, unknown hand. "A. 2284" lower right margin, graphite, unknown hand. "2g affichis. / 6 dont: Servir / 4 aff. humor[illeg.] 1 gou / 4 f. do 1 né[illeg.] / Congrès Eucharistique/ 3 du 1e état." verso, upper right sheet, graphite, artist's hand.

Markings

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

Watermarks

[Fortune figure] / "VAN GELDER ZONEN"

Wikidata ID

Q64581505

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