Artwork
French Soldier Addressing Germania
French Soldier Addressing Germania 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
French Soldier Addressing Germania is a drawing by Jean-Louis Forain, created circa 1916 on laid paper using brush and brown ink alongside black crayon.
Subject & Meaning
The drawing portrays a French soldier, identifiable by his helmet and rifle, addressing Germania, a female allegorical figure symbolizing Germany. She is depicted in a robe and helmet, seated behind a table, suggesting a formal or authoritative setting.
Technique & Style
Forain executed the work in his characteristic graphic and illustrative style, combining brown ink and black crayon to achieve a simple yet impactful visual composition.
History & Provenance
Created during World War I, the drawing reflects the wartime context. Notably, Forain's reputation, once surpassing many of his Impressionist contemporaries, has since been eclipsed by others.
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.
