Artwork
a) La Guerre sous-Marine. L'ecole des Neutres (recto); b) Study of La Guerre sous-Marine. L'ecole des Neutres (verso)
a) La Guerre sous-Marine. L'ecole des Neutres (recto); b) Study of La Guerre sous-Marine. L'ecole des Neutres (verso) is an ink drawing by Jean-Louis Forain. It dates from 1916 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Created circa 1916, this double-sided drawing by French artist Jean‑Louis Forain combines brushwork, black ink, crayon and watercolor on wove paper. The recto presents the main composition titled *La Guerre sous‑Marine. L’école des Neutres*, while the verso contains a related study rendered in black crayon and ink.
Subject & Meaning
The work belongs to the marine genre, depicting a naval scene that alludes to the neutral forces active during wartime. Its title suggests a focus on the hidden or underwater aspects of conflict, emphasizing the role of non‑combatant vessels or observers.
Technique & Style
Forain employs a mixture of media: transparent watercolor washes provide atmospheric depth, while dense black crayon and ink define forms and convey movement. The brush strokes are loose yet controlled, reflecting his background in Impressionist painting while the drawing’s linear precision hints at his experience in printmaking.
History & Provenance
The piece was produced during the First World War, a period when Forain, already established in oil and pastel, turned to drawing to document contemporary events. Its dual-sided format suggests it may have served as a preparatory study for a larger work or illustration.
Context
Forain’s career spanned painting, watercolor, pastel, etching and lithography, and he enjoyed considerable popularity in his lifetime, often surpassing the market success of many fellow Impressionists. This drawing reflects his versatility and his engagement with current affairs through a marine lens.
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.
