Le train de Berne (The Train for Berne)

Forain builds form through loose, rapid strokes of ink and crayon, using cross‑hatching and layered lines to model the heavy fabrics and shadows. The texture of the laid paper remains visible, contributing a gritty surface that reinforces the somber atmosphere. The drawing’s gestural quality reflects the artist’s impressionistic approach to line and tone.

Created during the later years of World I, the piece reflects Forain’s engagement with contemporary events. While Forain enjoyed considerable commercial success in his lifetime, his reputation has waned since the mid‑20th century. The drawing’s ownership record is limited to private collections, with no known exhibition history beyond occasional retrospectives of his work.