Artwork

To Each His Own

To Each His Own, by Jean-Louis Forain, ink, 1892
To Each His Own, by Jean-Louis Forain, ink, 1892

To Each His Own is an ink drawing by the Impressionist artist Jean-Louis Forain. It dates from 1892 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

To Each His Own Medium is a 1892 drawing by Jean-Louis Forain, executed in brush and black ink on wove paper. Characterized by bold lines and shading, the work showcases the artist's ability to achieve depth through simple yet effective techniques.

Subject & Meaning

The subject of the drawing is not explicitly detailed, but its title, 'To Each His Own Medium', may imply a commentary on artistic choice or individuality, potentially reflecting Forain's own versatility across various mediums.

Technique & Style

The drawing features bold lines and utilizes techniques like cross-hatching to create depth, demonstrating Forain's adaptation of Impressionist principles with a distinctive, restrained approach.

History & Provenance

Created in 1892, the work is part of Forain's body of art that, while successful during his lifetime, has seen a decline in reputation compared to some of his Impressionist contemporaries.

Context

Within the broader Impressionist movement, 'To Each His Own Medium' stands out for its medium (brush and black ink on paper) and Forain's multifaceted career, which included oils, watercolour, pastel, etching, and lithography.

Legacy

The piece exemplifies Forain's understated yet effective style, highlighting the potential of minimal techniques to convey depth and focus attention on the depicted scene.

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.