Artwork
La rencontre sous la voute (2e planche) (The Meeting under the Arch) (second plate)
La rencontre sous la voute (2e planche) (The Meeting under the Arch) (second 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. Created in 1910, *La rencontre sous la voute (2e planche)* is a drypoint print executed on laid Van Gelder paper.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1910, *La rencontre sous la voute (2e planche)* is a drypoint print executed on laid Van Gelder paper. The work shows two figures positioned beneath an architectural arch, rendered with the characteristic loose, sketch‑like lines of its maker.
Subject & Meaning
The composition captures a brief encounter: a bearded man in a light jacket stands close to a hat‑clad figure in a long coat, both framed by the archway. The scene suggests a moment of informal social interaction, typical of urban life in the early twentieth century.
Technique & Style
Forain employed drypoint, a intaglio method in which a sharp needle incises lines directly into the paper’s surface, producing a velvety, burr‑rich quality. The laid Van Gelder paper adds a subtle texture that enhances the sketchy, spontaneous appearance of the figures and architectural elements.
History & Provenance
Jean‑Louis Forain, a French artist known for his work across oil, watercolor, pastel, etching, and lithography, produced this print during a period of relative commercial success. Although his reputation has waned compared with some contemporaries, the piece remains a documented example of his printmaking output.
Context
The early 1910s saw French printmakers exploring everyday scenes with immediacy, often using drypoint for its expressive line quality. Forain’s print aligns with this trend, reflecting the urban milieu and the informal visual language that distinguished his broader oeuvre.
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.
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Après l'apparition (2e planche) (After the Vision) (second plate)