Artwork

Au Pireê. -Le depart des boches.

Au Pireê.  -Le depart des boches., by Jean-Louis Forain, watercolor, 1916
Au Pireê.  -Le depart des boches., by Jean-Louis Forain, watercolor, 1916

Au Pireê. -Le depart des boches. is a watercolor drawing by Jean-Louis Forain. It dates from 1916 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art. Au Pireê.

About this work

Overview

Au Pireê. -Le depart des boches is a drawing created by Jean-Louis Forain around 1916 on wove paper, utilizing a combination of black crayon, brush and ink, and white opaque watercolor for corrections.

Subject & Meaning

The drawing depicts a group of weary soldiers being forcibly embarked onto a boat, their faces obscured by hats, conveying the hardships of war. Forain, known for addressing contemporary social and political issues, here highlights the harsh realities of conflict, likely referencing the departure of German troops ('boches') during or immediately after World War I.

Technique & Style

Characterized by thick, heavy black lines, the piece evokes a sense of somberness and difficulty. The incorporation of white opaque watercolor for corrections adds a layer of rawness and unfinished immediacy to the artwork.

History & Provenance

Created during or shortly after World War I, this work reflects Forain's practice of engaging with the tumultuous events of his time. As a French artist, his perspective on the war's hardships is particularly poignant.

Context

Emerging from the wartime period, *Au Pireê. -Le depart des boches* situates Forain within a broader context of artists responding to the devastating effects of World War I, emphasizing the human cost of conflict.

Legacy

While specific legacy details of this piece are not provided, it contributes to Forain's broader legacy as an artist who unflinchingly depicted the harsh realities of war, influencing subsequent generations of artists addressing conflict and social upheaval.

Artist & collection

Portrait of Jean-Louis Forain

Artist

Jean-Louis Forain

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.

This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: National Gallery of Art open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.