Hiding the "louis" c. 1914 - 1919

"Hiding the "louis" is a charcoal drawing by Jean-Louis Forain, created between 1914 and 1919. The artwork depicts two figures in a simple, yet striking composition. A soldier stands to the left of the image, his back to the viewer, as he speaks to a woman who stands near a doorway. The scene appears to take place in a trench setting, suggested by the background of stacked sandbags, and the presence of a military helmet worn by the woman, creating a sense of wartime tension. The artwork's somber tone likely reflects the realities of World War I, a conflict that profoundly impacted Forain and his artistic output. This charcoal drawing exemplifies Forain's signature style, characterized by stark lines and a focus on human emotion, which he used to depict the social and political realities of his time.