Artwork
La rencontre sous la voute (1ère planche) (The Meeting under the Arch) (first plate)
La rencontre sous la voute (1ère planche) (The Meeting under the Arch) (first plate) is an ink print by Jean-Louis Forain. It dates from 1910 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
La rencontre sous la voute (1ère planche) is an etching on laid Van Gelder paper created by Jean-Louis Forain in 1910. This print showcases the artist's skill in capturing everyday scenes with expressive line work.
Subject & Meaning
The etching depicts three figures under a large archway, each engaged in their own activity. A man in a long coat and hat carries an item, a second figure bends forward, and a woman in a long dress holds a bag. The setting includes a simple house with a chimney and bare trees, suggesting a serene, possibly rural, environment.
Technique & Style
Characterized by loose, quick lines reminiscent of a rapid sketch, the etching reflects Forain's spontaneous and expressive technique. The textured appearance of the Van Gelder paper complements the etching process, which involves acid and needles to achieve detailed, expressive lines.
History & Provenance
Created in 1910 by Jean-Louis Forain, a French artist associated with the Impressionist movement, though known for working across various mediums. While Forain enjoyed relative success during his lifetime, his popularity has waned since.
Context
Part of Forain's body of work in printmaking, a medium he explored alongside oils, watercolor, and pastel. This etching exemplifies his interest in depicting everyday life, a theme common among Impressionists.
Legacy
Though Forain's reputation has diminished over time compared to some Impressionist peers, *La rencontre sous la voute (1ère planche)* remains a testament to his etching skills and his contribution to the Impressionist movement's emphasis on modern life and technique.
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.
Encounter Under the Vault
The Dismissal of Hagar
Burial in the Vendeen Marsh (Un enterrement dans le marais Vendeen)
Les trois commères
Close He Had Come...
Reverie
Le Christ au matin de rameaux
Fishermen's Wives (Femmes de pecheurs)
Cottage Door
La rencontre sous la voute (3e planche) (The Meeting under the Arch) (third plate)