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3222 JEAN-LOUIS FORAIN(Reims 1852 - 1931 Paris)
Scène de tribunal. Circa 1910-20.
Oil on canvas.
Monogrammed lower left: f.
54 x 65 cm.
The authenticity of the work has been
confirmed by Florence Valdes-Forain,
Paris, October 2016.
Provenance:
- Private collection, Switzerland.
- Koller Auctions, 19 September 2005, lot
6483.
- Private collection, Switzerland (acquired
at the above auction).
The French artist Jean-Louis Forain
studied for a short time at the École des
Beaux-Arts and in 1870 went as a pupil
to the atelier of André Gill. In his painting
he concentrated on everyday scenes of
middle class life. An important contact
which was to influence his painting style,
was his friendship with Degas. They shared
an interest in the ballet and the opera and
these subjects accompanied both artists
throughout their careers.
Forain was also known for his political sa-
tires, which were published in newspapers
and magazines, so that he became known
in society. A further important persona-
lity who impressed Forain, was Honoré
Daumier, through whom Forain eventually
found his way to depicting scenes from the
law courts. In 1902 he began to paint such
court scenes, one of which is offered here
at auction. Typical of these scenes is the
strong contrast between light and dark,
which can be clearly seen in the present
painting.
CHF 3 000 / 5 000
(€ 2 780 / 4 630)