a) Ludus pro Populo (recto); b) Head of a Man (verso)

Forain employed a black crayon to render both compositions, exploiting the medium’s capacity for swift, gestural lines and subtle tonal variation. The use of wove paper provides a smooth surface that supports fine detail while allowing the crayon’s pigment to rest evenly, characteristic of his drawing practice during the 1890s.

Created in 1892, the drawing reflects Forain’s productive period when he was widely exhibited and published. While specific ownership records are not detailed here, the work is documented as part of the artist’s oeuvre that circulated among collectors and institutions during his lifetime, underscoring his reputation as a versatile figure within the French Impressionist milieu.