Study for a portrait of Jean Dupré 1913

Félix Del Marle made this drawing, Study for a portrait of Jean Dupré, with a cubist style reminiscent of the early twentieth century in France. The portrait is of Jean Dupré, presumably the author of the book visible in the upper left corner with the title Essai de Prosodie Française. Del Marle, who was mobilized in 1914, was deeply affected by the violence he experienced. As a result, the artist developed an anti-war stance. The geometric shapes could represent a fragmented reality, reflecting a world torn apart by conflict. But it could also be read as a representation of the multifaceted identity of the individual. Del Marle's futurist and cubist approach is interesting because it incorporates many perspectives, producing a rich and complex portrait. The overlaying planes and sharp angles invite us to consider the multi-layered aspects of both individual identity and the collective experience during times of upheaval.