Forain, account

 

 

Impressionism, a historical reconstruction:

Jean-Louis Forain

(1852-1931)

Account

of his exhibited works

 

What art-works did Forain exhibit?
Jean-Louis Forain did not keep records of his production, he often did not date his works, he created many works bearing the same title and also different titles were given to the same work by Forain himself and by others (R43,p35). All this makes it hard to identify which works Forain exhibited at the ‘impressionist’ expositions in 1879, 1880, 1881, 1886 and at other exhibitions like the Salon (de la Société des Artistes Français and de la Société National des Beaux-Arts), regional exhibitions, the Exposition Universelle. Here below I give an account of the choices I’ve made and you will find additional information including translations and locations.

 

The 4th impressionist exposition of 1879:

General overview:

  • catalogue numbers 82-107
  • in total Forain exhibited 26 works (and not 25 as Faxon mentions (R43,p20).
  • 18 of them were indicated as aquarelles (watercolours and gouaches; no.83-100);
    4 were fans (no.101-104),
    2 were screens (no. 105+106);
    there was 1 drawing (no.107).

    • 4x time indication of place
    • 0x indication of time, season or weather
    • 0x a study
    • 19 loans (appartient à…), 4 of Mme Martin (97, 101, 102, 103), 3 of Hecht (no.88, 94, 96) and 2 of Alphonse Daudet (no. 105+106), 1 of Chéramy (no.86), 1 of Doucet (87), 1of Mme H. Lamy (90), 1 of Félix Bouchor (92), 1 of Jouron (93), 1 of Huysmans (95), 1 of Mme G.C… (98), 1 of Coquelin (99),  1 of Coquelin Cadet (100), 1 of Léon Hennique (107)
  • my most important sources were Moffett (R2,p268), Berson (R90II,p112/3+131), Faxon (R43) and Browse (R50)
  • see link for the pictures.

General reviews (R90I):
Bachaumont (1879/04/12) reviews ‘Among the watercolourists, the palm belongs to M. Louis Forain. This is contemporary life captured in its scenes and characters. These frequenters of the Folies-Bergère, these lively people at supper, this elegant woman, who has just put on her theatre costume, is of our times, and are well and truly marked by it. It is an art of observation, a philosophical art, if I may say so, and I confess that I much prefer it to that which gives us the little men and women, well dressed and well polished, who are the delights of the notables of Bottin retired from business.’ (R90I,p210/1).
Besson (1879/04/11) reviews ‘I am looking for the impression of an entr’acte, or of a folly, even a shepherdess, or of a theatrical exit, and I cannot find them. ‘ (R90I,p213).
Leroy (1879/04/17) reviewed: ‘From M. Forain, I recommend to serious amateurs, an amazing coat passed by a waiter to a dandy who has just dined with a sweetheart in a private cabinet. (…) A malicious person took the liberty of saying “fairground painting”, thus playing on the name of the artist. Shameful laziness that made me shrug my shoulders in pity.’ (R90I,p227)
J. de Tarade (1879/04/27) reviewed: ‘M. L. Forain, a very young man, already known as a fanciful draughtsman, exhibits a series of watercolour sketches which are not lacking in flavour; from a large number of imperfections emerge serious qualities of originality. – Look at the numbers 92, 85, 87. But Mr. Forain must have the courage to resist the current; if he wants to study seriously, he will arrive.’ (R90I,p244).

Catalogue 1879 (R2,p268;R90I,p205;iR1):

4IE-1879-82, Portrait de M. M…
Moffett doesn’t give a suggestion, nor does Berson, which also means there were no reviews. As an uncertain option I give: 18xx, portrait of a man (R. de Montesquiou), 81×65, private.

Aquarelles:

4IE-1879-83, Portrait de M. Coquelin Cadet, dans le Sphinx
Moffett doesn’t give a suggestion. Berson leaves it unidentified and refers to a review in Le Soir (1879/04/12) in which is mentioned that Coquelin Cadet is portrayed by Forain and Degas and did loan some works (R90I,p241). A review of X (1879/05/10) which could apply to number 84 + 85, but also to no.83, mentions ‘Some portraits of the same artist: Messrs X … father and son. Missing are Mrs X … and the little X …’ (R90I,p252). Coquelin Cadet owned no.100.
To compare I give: 18xx, Portrait of an Actor, xx, Philadelphia MA.

4IE-1879-84, Portrait de M. H…
Perhaps portrait of M Huysmans (pastel) now in Musée de Versailles (R2,p268;R50,p75;R90II,p112); note: this work is owned by Musée d’Orsay and on display in the Musée National Chateau de Versailles (iR23). Note: the catalogue indicates this work was a watercolour. Berson refers to a review of X (1879/05/10) which could apply to number 84 + 85, but also to no.83 ‘Some portraits of the same artist: Messrs X … father and son. Missing are Mrs X … and the little X …’ (R90I,p252). This pastel is the only work Faxon refers to (R43,p25).

4IE-1879-85, Portrait de M. H…
Perhaps portrait of M. Huysmans now in Versailles (R2,p268;R50,p75;R90II,p112); see no.84. Berson refers to a review of De Tarade (1879/04/27) in which he praises the originality of the numbers 92, 85 and 87 (R90I,p244). Note that he doesn’t combine no.84 and 85.  Berson refers to a review of X (1879/05/10) which could apply to number 84 + 85, but also to no.83 ‘Some portraits of the same artist: Messrs X … father and son. Missing are Mrs X … and the little X …’ (R90I,p252).  I wonder if no.84+85 both were portraits of Huysmans. As Hecht owned 3 of the works Forain exhibited, it is also presumable that he portrayed Hecht. To compare I give: 18xx, portrait of a man, xx, auctioned 2006/06/21.

4IE-1879-86, Intérieur de café; appartient à M. Chéramy
Perhaps now in the Cabinet des Dessins of the Louvre (R2,p268; or now: 1879ca, At the Café, gouache, 33×26, Wisselingh & Co Naarden (R2,p282). Note: according to the Google Art Project this work is now in the Dixon in Memphis (iR8;M160). Forain has made many watercolours of café interiors, what makes it impossible to identify (R2,p282). Berson leaves out this work, which also means there were no reviews.

4IE-1879-87, Fin d’un souper; appartient à M. Doucet
Eng.: at the end of the supper / evening meal. Moffett doesn’t give a suggestion. Berson refers to a review of Bachaumont (’these lively people at supper’), Huysmans, Leroy (‘an amazing coat passed by a waiter to a dandy who has just dined with a sweetheart in a private cabinet’) and De Tarade (R90II,p112). De Tarade (1879/04/27) in which he praises the originality of the numbers 92, 85 and 87 (R90I,p244). Huysmans (1883) extendedly reviewed this work in 1880:  ‘But perhaps the most surprising of these watercolours was the one depicting a private restaurant cabinet, seen as the gentleman and lady are about to leave. In the red cabin, furnished with a worn-out couch, a fireplace embellished by a clock that doesn’t work, the gentleman holds out his arms to the boy, the slightly sarcastic eye in the affected indifference of his face, rises behind him, and passes him the sleeves of his coat, while the woman puts her hat in front of the mirror, scratched with initials and crossed out with names. On the right, an entire corner of the table, the check in a plate, the cigar box, small glasses, chair backs cut by the frame; on the floor, the boy’s polished feet glistening in the shadows. It is, caught in the act, the sadness of the private cabinets, while the woman, with her arms raised, a piece of nostril sticking out between her two elbows, is carefully tugging at her head, without taking any notice of the gentleman who, after having paid for the shelter and the additional, look, in front of him, bewitched by the talk of the tête-a-tête, by the heat,  by the interrupted work of digestion, harassed by the servant who shakes his arms and back. ‘(R90I,p289). Berson also refers to (the Catalogue Raisonné) by Alicia Faxon (1982,no11). Berson also renders an etch, from the Staatliche Kunstsammlungen in Dresden that renders a same theme and that fits the discribtion of Huysmans very well; I will render it to compare: 18xx, Le Quart d’heure de Rabelais, etch ps, 19×20, SKs Dresden (R90II,p131+112;R43;R90I,p227+289). To compare I also give a later watercolour with partly the same theme: 1900ca, the butler and the gentlemen, wc gouache, 39×28, A2008/12/04 (iR11;R90I,p227).

4IE-1879-88, Loge d’actrice; appartient à M. Hecht
Eng.: Box of the actrice. Faxon and Moffett suggest, with a perhaps L’Admirateur, MFA Houston (R2,p268;R43), referring to a review of Besson, Berson rules this suggestion out: ‘The actress’s dressing room, where we see an enormous actress putting on her corset in front of a man dressed in green, has no other merit than to be improper’. (R90I,p213/4). Pierre Véron (1879/04/19) reviews ‘I again recommend a lady who puts on her corset. But it is better that she puts it on than take it off, the unfortunate woman! for one shudders to think what one would see falling from it. (…) What I find particularly shocking about these comicalities is that they feel deliberate. It is premeditated mystification. (R90I,p250). X (1879/05/10) just mentions the title (R90I,p252). I agree with Berson, who leaves this work unidentified. To compare I render: 1xxx, Woman dressing near a seated man (woman in corset), pastel, 35×23, A2014/05/15 (iR11;iR10;iR43;R2,p268;R90I,p213+250); it is not a watercolour but a pastel and the man is not dressed in green, though the (strange) background is green.

4IE-1879-89, Sortie de théâtre; appartient à Mme H. Lamy
According to Moffett perhaps now in the Cabinet des Dessins of the Louvre (R2,p268); I could not find this work. Berson leaves the work unidentified. Besson reviews ‘A ‘gandin’ in charge is leaning against an empty wall: the painter calls this “Sortie de théâtre” (R90I,p213). Bachaumont (referring to no.89-92?) remarks ’this elegant woman, who has just put on her theatre costume’ (R90I,p210), but this doesn’t seem to apply to a leaving the theater. As an uncertain option I render: 1876ca, The old gentleman, g+wc+ink, 44×31, A2011/06/22 (iR11;iR15;iR2;R50,p95;R2,p268;R90I,p213). Still this work doesn’t depict a leaving the theater, a theme Forain did depict in other works.

4IE-1879-90, Pourtour des Folies-Bergère ; appartient à M. May
4IE-1879-91,  Pourtour des Folies-Bergère ; appartient à M. Félix Bouchor
4IE-1879-92, Pourtour des Folies-Bergère ; appartient à M. Hecht
No.90-92+100: Eng.: Gallery of the ‘Folies-Bergère’. The Folies-Bergère was a café where concerts and variety shows were given (R3,p651; see). According to Moffett these works are perhaps now in the cabinet des Dessins of the Louvre or in WA Hartford (R2,p268). Berson refers to a review of De Tarade (1879/04/27) in which he praises the originality of the numbers 92, 85 and 87 (R90I,p244). Note that he doesn’t combine the numbers 90, 91 and 92. Bachaumont  (1879/04/12) reviews (referring to no.89-92?): ‘Among the watercolourists, the palm belongs to M. Louis Forain. This is contemporary life captured in its scenes and characters. These frequenters of the Folies-Bergère, these lively people at supper, this elegant woman, who has just put on her theatre costume, is of our times, and are well and truly marked by it. ‘ (R90I,p210/1). Besson reviews ‘A lady in white talks with two gentlemen in suits. It is called: “Pourtour des Folies-Bergère” (R90I,p213). Duranty (1879/04/19) reviews ‘A young man, M. Forain, has his watercolours generally taken “Pourtour des Folies-Bergère”; it’s a bit like colourful gossip, and therefore frozen, constrained, but, as in any gossip, funny words and jokes slip in.’ (R90I,p219). I render 3 options in an random order: (keeping in mind the lady in white talking with two gentlemen in suits, a theme Forain more than once depicted, but not in watercolour, I render to compare) no.90:  1887-90ca, Gentlemen of the Opera (The Dance Studio), 61×51, private (iR2;R2,p268); (keeping in mind an elegant woman who has just put on her theatre costume) no.91: 1xxx, Ballet student and her dresser, wc, 29×14, A2013/03/27 (iR13;iR11;R2,p268); (keeping in mind the ‘lively people at supper and the reference of Moffett to the Hartford museum) no.92: 1878ca, Crowd at the Folies-Bergère, wc+g, 21×33, WA Hartford (M162;R2,p268;R90I,p210/1).

4IE-1879-93, Entr’acte ; appartient à M.  Jouron
Eng.: intermission. Moffett doesn’t give a suggestion. Berson leaves it unidentified and refers to Besson, who reviews ‘Three gentlemen talking: “entr’acte”. (R90I,p213). Forain depicted sometimes 3 men talking with a woman. I render the following work as option: 1877, la rencontre au foyer (entre-acte), 34×22, private London (R50,p79;R2,p268).

4IE-1879-94, Coulisses de théâtre ; appartient à M. Hecht
4IE-1879-95, Coulisses de théâtre ; appartient à M. Huysmans
Eng.: backstage at the theater. No.94-95: Perhaps in the Cabinet des Dessins of the Louvre or in Boston PL (R2,p268). Berson refers to a review of X (1879/05/10) ‘A man, all alone, leans against a post, looking very sorry. He thought it was funnier than this.’ (R90I,p252). She identifies the work as: 18xx, Le protecteur dans les coulisses, ink and gouache, 32×24, A1966/12/07 (R90II,p113;iR14). I will render two  uncertain options for no.95: 18xx, L’homme en costume, wc+g, 25×19, A2014/04/02 (iR15;R2,p268) and: 1878, In the Wings, gouache, 36×26, private (iR2;R3,p180). Forain made many paintings depicting the backstage / the wings of a theatre.

4IE-1879-96, Café d’acteurs; appartient à M. Hecht
Perhaps now in the Cabinet des Dessins of the Louvre (R2,p268); maybe Moffett meant: 1879, Au café de la Nouvelle-Athènes, wc, 35×39, DAG Louvre (iR10;R2,p268;R3,p211;M5a); I render this work for 5IE-1880-50. Berson omits this work, which also means there were no reviews. I render as very uncertain options: 1875, At the Cafe, gouache, 25×34, xx (iR10;iR122;iR305;R2,p268); and: 18xx, Au café, gouache, 34×26, A2021/03/01 (iR10;iR15;iR11;R2,p268).

4IE-1879-97, Femme au café; appartient à Mme Martin
According to Moffett probably now in Brooklyn MA (R2,p268), probably now: 1878/01, The Bar at the Folies-Bergère (Café scene; à Sari), opaque watercolour, 32×20, Brooklyn MA New York (M161;iR6;R50,p96;R43,p16;R2,p268). This suggestion is not confirmed by the Brooklyn Museum. Berson leaves it unidentified (R90II,p213). This painting was dedicated to ‘Sari’, was Mme Martin also called that way?
X (1879/05/10) remarks ‘why not with vanille?’ (R90I,p252).

4IE-1879-98, Coin de salon; appartient à Mme G. C…
Moffett doesn’t give a suggestion. Berson leaves it unidentified (R90II,p213). X (1879/05/10) just mentioned the title (R90I,p252). Berson remarks that at the Georges Charpentier sale there was the following work ’18xx, Coin de salon, chez M. Charpentier, watercolour, 30×18, HD1907/04/11-63 (R90II,p113). Probably this work: 1879ca, Conservation dans le salon de Georges Charpentier, wc, 31×19, A2008/11/14 (iR13;R90II,p113;R2,p268).

4IE-1879-99, Cabotin en demi-deuil; appartient à M. Coquelin
Eng.: actor / comedian or stubborn partly in morning. Moffett doesn’t give a suggestion, nor does Berson, which also means there were no reviews. As uncertain options I give: 1878-80ca, Head of a Woman with a Veil, oil, 35×28, NSM Pasadena (iR2;R2,p268;M43), depicting a woman with a veil, as sign of morning. As second option I render a drawing of Coquelin who was an actor and who owned this work: 1878, Portrait of the actor C. B. Coquelin in costume, dr, 27×22, A2013/04/20 (iR13;M2,p268). This work also is an option for no.83, Portrait de M. Coquelin Cadet , dans le Sphinx.

4IE-1879-100, Pourtour des Folies-Bergère;  appartient à M. Coquelin Cadet
Moffett doesn’t give a suggestion. Berson leaves it unidentified (R90II,p213). See the same title in no.90-92. Berson remarks that at the Coquelin Cadet sale there was the following work ’18xx, Dans les coulisses, watercolour, 29×21, HD1909/05/26-63 (R90II,p113). As an uncertain option I render: 18xx, In the wings, wc+g+dr, 30×21, A2019/05/15 (iR14;iR13;R2,p268;R90II,p113); a work with about the same size.

4IE-1879-101, Éventail ; appartient à Mme Martin
4IE-1879-102, Éventail ; appartient à Mme Martin
4IE-1879-103, Éventail ; appartient à Mme Martin
4IE-1879-104, Éventail ; appartient à M. Angelo
Eng.: fan. 101-104 Moffett doesn’t give a suggestion, nor does Berson, which also means there were no reviews. I render 4 uncertain options in a random order: no.101: 1879ca, Evening at the Opera, gouache, 17×59, DGG Memphis (iR2;iRx;R2,p268;M160); no.102:  18xx, Fête Galant, fan gouache, 15×56, A2011/05/11 (iR13;R2,p268); no.103: 18xx, danseuses et un monsieur, dr fan, 25×38, DAG Louvre (iR23;R2,p268;M5a); no.104: 18xx, scène dans une loge d’actrice, dr fan, 26×39, DAG Louvre (iR23;R2,p268;M5a). To compare I also render 4 later works: 1.: 1903, Eventail pour la bal Gavarni, 26(or15)x49, A2015/03/10 (iR11;R43,p54;R2,p268); 2.: 1889ca, the dancer, fan wc, 30×62, DGG Memphis (iR8;R2,p268;M160); 3. 1890, Danseuse, fan on wood, 27cm, A1991/12/04 (iR13;R2,p268); 4. 1903, Souvenir de la Matinée de Gala donnée à l’Opéra Comique, fan, 14h, Carnavalet Paris (aR5=iR302;R2,p268;M8).

4IE-1879-105, Un écran ; appartient à M. Alphonse Daudet
4IE-1879-106, Un écran ; appartient à M. Alphonse Daudet
105+106: Eng.: a screen. Moffett doesn’t give a suggestion, nor does Berson, which also means there were no reviews. I couldn’t find one picture of a screen made by Forain.
To compare I render two folded screens (=paravent) made by Bideau Soeur Marie Victoire in 1903: one depicting namely L’abbé Ollivier and now in Maison de Kéraudren (iR23); the second depicting namely Scènes champêtres and now in Presbytère (iR23).

4IE-1879-107, Un dessin ; appartient à M. Léon Hennique
Eng.: a drawing. Moffett doesn’t give a suggestion, nor does Berson, which also means there were no reviews. This very common title makes this work hard to identify. Compare 6IE-1881-26-29, with the same title. As a very uncertain I render a drawing / watercolour: 18xx, Young woman standing in a bleu dress, ink+wc, 20×10, DAG Louvre (iR23;M5a,RF10808,R;R2,p268), the woman depicted compares the woman depicted in no.86.

 

The 5th ‘impressionist’ exposition of 1880:

General overview:

  • catalogue numbers 45-54 =10x
  • according to Browse Forain also exhibited 2 works that were not in the catalogue (=hc=hors catalogue) (R50,p76+79). Moffett doesn’t take over this suggestion, though he uses her work as a source. Berson claims Browse her hc1 is no.47 and her hc2 is no.52, both being watercolours / gouaches: 10+0=10.
  • Berson also suggests that no.52 consisted of at least 3 drawings / watercolours which were book illustrations. I follow Berson: 10+2=12
  • Note: Huysmans writes about a book of watercolours, illustrating a poem by Verlaine and describes one of them. Trianon mentions 5 watercolours and describes 2; Edmond Renoir mentions gouaches and gives 2 titles. The catalogue mentions 6 drawings (no.47-52c), but probably they were all watercolours / gouaches. And as no.52 consisted of at least 3 drawings / watercolours, Forain probably showed 8 watercolours / gouaches. 
  • the catalogue indicates that no.53+54 were etchings. They were untitled and not reviewed.
  • so in total Forain exhibited in 1880 10+2=12 works.
    • 8 of them were probably not drawings, but watercolours / gouaches (no.47-52c) and 2 etchings (no.53+54)
    • 0x time indication of place
    • 0x indication of time, season or weather
    • 1x a study (no.46)
    • 1 loans (appartient à…): no.45 of Mlle. V. de M.
  • my most important sources were Moffett (R2,p311), Berson (R90II,p148/9+164/5), Faxon (R43) and Browse (R50)
  • see link for the pictures.

General reviews (R90I):
Huysmans has an extended review, first looking back at the works he exhibited in 1879 ‘Another curious painter of certain corners of contemporary life is M. Forain. There is no one to capture, as he did, the surroundings of the Folies-Bergère, to translate all its attractive decay, all its libertine elegance. Last year (=1879), in addition to his views of the Folies, he exhibited backstage with dancers, with their little upturned beaks, of scary and celestial scams, talking with fat, obscene, paternal gentlemen, the Crevel of our time, and greedy young harlekins in their straight collars and black clothes; all stirring, alive, exhaling the smell of the atmosphere around them. (… = extendedly describing 4IE-1879-87, see above) (… = extendedly describing no.47+52a) . A student of Gérôme who did not teach him much, M. Forain studied his art alongside Manet and Degas, which in no way means that he alters or copies them; because he has a very special temperament, a very special vision. In his good days, when he is not content to be too easy and his design does not lean a little towards the load, M. Forain is one of the most uncompromising painters of modern life that I know.'(R90I,p289+290).
Edmond Renoir (1880/04/09) reviews ‘Parisians will stop in front of M. Forain’s gouaches; they will find familiar types; the point of charge with which he seasons them makes them quite pleasant; I will mention the Couloir des Folies-Bergère (the Corridor of the Folies-Bergère) et le Coin de salle du théâtre (the corner of the theatre hall). ‘ (R90I,p306).
Henry Trianon
(1880/04/08) reviews ‘Finally, let us mention five watercolours by M. Forain: they are a little grotesque and, going beyond disinterested observation, throw themselves into caricature; but the drawing is there and so is the colour: it’s a window opened a bit like a devil into the world of little ladies and gentlemen. In one room, a regular in the first class is reading his newspaper, and in a restaurant, the owner, bald, napkin under the arm, who leans on his broad flat feet before the omnipotence of a damsel armed with a bouquet and followed by her staff.’ (R90I,p314)

Catalogue 1880: (R2,p311;R90I,p260;iR1)

5IE-1880-45, Actrice allant rentrer en scène; appartient à Mlle. V. de M.
Moffett doesn’t give a suggestion, nor does Berson. Berson refers to reviews of J.L., Silvestre and A.E. (R90II,p148). A.E. (1880/04/05) reviews ‘No more so, however, than a tiny canvas by M. Forain, full of colour and frankness like those of M. Rouart.’ (R90I,p276). J.L. (1880/04/06) reviews: ‘M. Forain, who has made the actress (‘l’Actrice‘) an attractive speciality,’ (R90I,p295).  Silvestre (1880/05/01) reviews ‘I particularly like his Actrice allant rentrer en scène, whose gesture is quite right and well found. This young artist remains essentially Parisian and has never ceased to be personal.’ (R90I,p307). I render: 1877-79ca, The Admirer, on wood, 15×20, MFA Houston (iR2;iR8), as an uncertain option, because it is a small work and full of colour; but it doesn’t seem the actrice is returning to the stage again.

5IE-1880-46, étude d’homme
Perhaps now in the Cabinet des Dessins of the Louvre (R2,p310). Berson omits this work, which also means there were no reviews (R90II,p149). To compare I render a drawing from the Louvre: 18xx, Homme barbu, dr, 29×22, DAG Louvre (iR23;R2,p311;M5a,RF10806). 

5IE-1880-47, Dessin
No.47-52: Eng.: drawing. Moffett doesn’t give a suggestion for these numbers with a very general title. Compare 4IE-1879-107 with the same general title. Probably all these works were watercolours / gouaches, see above.
No.47: Berson arbitrarily refers to an extended review of Huysmans (R90II,p149), who reviews: ‘In a room tended in crimson red, a gentleman sits on a couch, his chin resting on the handle of his umbrella. In front of him, standing, opening their dressing gowns to show their bellies, women are trying to let him decide; a fat brunette, with tapped and blue flesh, a tall, dark-haired, beautiful Jewess, who looks on indifferently, without making the news, at a blonde with shapely legs in apple-green stockings with red stripes, a barriere-decorated roll, which laughs and, in the absence of a brief expedition, is eager to solicit champagne. Efforts in vain, wasted pains! – the gentleman will not come up and he will not pay for a drink either. If he is unable to play a polka on the piano, he will be politely invited to take Madeleine, it is to say the door. What is prodigious about this work is the power of reality that emerges from it; these girls are hostesses and not other girls, and if their postures, their irritating odour, their spoiled skin, The flames of the gas that illuminate this watercolour washed with gouache, with a truly uncanny precision of truth are, for the first time probably, so firmly, so straightforwardly rendered, their character, their bestial or infantile humanity is no less so. The whole philosophy of payed love is in this scene where, after having voluntarily entered, pushed by a beastly desire, the gentleman thought about it and, becoming colder, ended up remaining insensitive to the offers.’ (R90I,p289+290). Note this description compares the work Browse suggested as being exhibited but not in the catalogue, see hc1. Now: 1878, The Client (Maison close), gouache, 25×33, DGG Memphis (iR2;R50,p79;R2,p311;R90II,p149+164;R90I,p289+290;M160).
5IE-1880-48, Dessin
Berson arbitrarily refers to a review of Edmond Renoir who mentions a work called  Couloir des Folies-Bergère (Eng.: corridor in the Folies-Bergère).  Compare 4IE-1879-90+91+92+100. I render two uncertain options: 18xx, Au Folie Bergère, gouache, 35×25, A1987/07/01 (iR64;iR13;R2,p311;R90II,p149); and: 1878, At the Theater, wc, 28×22, xx (iR10;iR99;R2,p311;R90II,p149).
5IE-1880-49, Dessin
Berson arbitrarily refers to review of Edmond Renoir, who mentions a work called  Coin de salle du théâtre (Eng.: Corner of the theatre). I render two uncertain options: 1878, au théâtre, gouache, 46×32, private London (R50,p80;R2,p311;R90II,p149); and: 1880, A Box at the Opéra, gouache+oil, 32×26, Harvard Cambridge (iR10;iR104;R89,no98;R2,p311;R90II,p149;M32).
5IE-1880-50, Dessin
Berson arbitrarily refers to review of Trianon who describes a regular reading his paper (R90II,p149). Maybe now: 1879, Au café de la Nouvelle-Athènes, wc, 35×39, DAG Louvre (iR10;R2,p311;R90II,p149;R3,p211;M5a).
5IE-1880-51, Dessin
Berson arbitrarily refers to review of Trianon, who describes a restaurant scene (R90II,p149): the owner, bald, napkin under the arm, who leans on his broad flat feet before the omnipotence of a damsel armed with a bouquet and followed by her staff.’ (R90I,p314). Now: 1879, Entering the restaurant, wc+g, 26×43, A2007/12/14 (iR174;iR10;iR13;R2,p311;R90II,p149;R90I,p314).
5IE-1880-52, Dessin
Berson arbitrarily refers to a review of Huysmans, who describes a book of  watercolours with poems of Verlaine (R90II,p149): ‘In a different order of ideas, a book of watercolours, illustrating a poem by Verlaine, is singular and sinister. It’s called the walk of the vagabond in the Country (‘la Promenade du voyou à la campagne‘). (R90I,p290). Inspired by Richard Thomson, Berson herself renders 3 black-and-white copies (R90II,p164/5), which I will also render. Note: Browse suggests it was exhibited, but not in the catalogue, see hc2.
5IE-1880-52a, Dessin
A short, stocky man in a long coat, his sideburns flaring under his three-piece coat, walks with his lady, a tall, stony woman, with floppy sweaters, her belly in front making her dress rise, in a countryside which is nothing more than a footpath perpetually bounded by the ramparts. It is a translation that brings to reality the fantasy of the writer who lends this verse to a puppet: “I don’t spit on Paris, it’s really nice, And as I have the soul of a poet, every Sunday, I leave my box, And I am leaving, with my companion, to the countryside.” M. Verlaine’s overdone rascal has been avoided by M. Forain, who has enlarged the scene and turned it into a mournful idyll. A little shiver runs down your spine when you examine the appalling appearance of these two beings.’ (R90I,p290). According to Berson 18xx, The stroll: satirical presentation, wc +ink, 28×20, Kh Bremen (R90II,p149).
5IE-1880-52b, Dessin
According to Berson 18xx, Au café du parc, wc +ink, 28×19, A1981/12/01 (R90II,p149;R15). Note: not described by Huysmans.
5IE-1880-52c, Dessin
According to Berson 18xx, Après-midi au parc, wc + ink, 28×19, A1981/12/01 (R90II,p149;R15). Note: not described by Huysmans.

5IE-1880-53, Eau-forte
5IE-1880-54, Eau-forte
53+54: Eng.: etch. Moffett doesn’t give a suggestion for these two works with a very general title. Berson omits this work, which also means there were no reviews (R90II,p149). I render 2 of his many etchings: 1876 (1876/11/05), CR4, The departure of the star, etch, 18×12, A2015/11/16 (iR11;aR9,no4;R2,p311); and: 1876ca, CR7, Dancers in a dressing room (Getting dressed), drypoint, 16×12, NGA Washington (iR1;iR8;aR9,no7;R2,p311). 

(5IE-1880-54+hc1, Le client (Maison close)
Eng.: the client (whorehouse). According to Browse (R50,p76+79) Forain exhibited this work in 1880. This work is not in the catalogue and not mentioned by Moffett (R2,p311). This gouache is extendidly described by Huysmans (R90I,p289+290). Berson arbitrarily links it to no.47. (R90II,p149).

(5IE-1880-54+hc2, La promenade du voyou à la Campagne)
Eng.: The walk of the vagabond in the country. Browse adds: illustration to Verlaine’s poem, so I assume this was a drawing. Browse mentions this work in an overview of exhibited works in 1880. This work is not in the catalogue and not mentioned by Moffett (R2,p311). This watercolour is extendidly described by Huysmans (R90I,p290). Berson arbitrarily links it to no.52, naming 3 works. (R90II,p149).

 

The 6th ‘impressionist’ exposition of 1881:

General overview:

  • catalogue numbers 20-29
  • in total Forain exhibited in 1881 10 works.
  • 4 of them were drawings (no.26-29), 3 watercolours (no.22-24) and 1 pastel (no.25)
    • in his suggestions Moffett (R2,p354) often follows Browse (R50)
    • 1x time indication of place
    • 0x indication of time, season or weather
    • 0x a study
    • 1 loans (appartient à…): no.22 of M. E. Blum and no.23 of M. A. Meyer
  • my most important sources were Moffett (R2,p354), Berson (R90II,p180/1+190/1), Faxon (R43) and Browse (R50)
  • see link for the pictures.

General reviews (R90I):
There were several reviews. Some just mention the works like Gonzague-Privat, Vernay. Most don’t describe it like Alisy, Goetschy, +Havard, Elie de Mont., Palette, Le Petit Parisien, Comtesse Louise, Silvestre, Trianon.
André Michel (1881/04/04), probably referring to no.22+23, just mentions: ‘It is sufficient to point out two small frames of Mr. Forain, who benefit from the position.’ (R90I,p359).
Dalligny (1881/04/08), probably referring to no.22+23, just mentions: ‘M. Forain’s backstage scenes, reminiscent of Daunier (sic), are amusing, witty and show a certain vigour.’ (R90I,p335)
Enjoiras (1881/04/12), probably referring to no.22+23, just mentions: ‘I want to point out two more very luminous watercolors by Forain: he excels in painting modern types of theatre women, woman of ill repute and gentlemen in black suits. It is a very lively and personal note.’ (R90I,p341).

Catalogue 1881: (R2,p354;R90I,p326;iR1)

6IE-1881-20, Au théâtre, peinture
According to Moffett perhaps now in Musée Carnavalet in Paris or NGA Washington (R2,p354). Berson leaves it unidentified, but she refers to a letter of Alicia Faxon, who suggests: La loge in Musée Carnavalet Paris or Behind the scenes in the NGA Washington (R90II,p180), probably the same suggestions as Moffett. Havard (1881/04/03) reviews ‘When we have done M. Forain the justice that his vigorous pochades deserve Au Théâtre and Loge d’actrice, a happy reminiscence of Daumier; ‘ (R90I,p347). Forain painted many theatre scenes. Option 1: 1880ca, Behind the scenes, 46×38, NGA Washington (M21;R2,p354;R90II,p180). Option 2: 1880ca, La loge, 56×50, Carnavalet Paris (iR2;aR5=iR302;R2,p354;R90II,p190;M8).

6IE-1881-21, Coin de Bal masqué à l’Opéra, peinture
According to Browse very possibly 1880ca, Un bal a l’Opera, 31×39, private collection in Paris (R50,p99). Moffett follows (R2,p354). Berson leaves it unidentified, but repeats the suggestion of Browse (R90II,p181). There were no reviews. As another option I suggest also: Ball in the Paris Grand Opera, 74×61, Puskin (iR6;R3,p262). This work is dated around 1885ca, but looking at the similarities with the painting in Paris I assume this one was also made around 1880. Maybe it was a study for the Paris painting as it looks less finished.

6IE-1881-22, Loge d’actrice, aquarelle ; appartient à M. E. Blum
Moffett suggests 1880, visit à la loge (d’actrice), water colour + gouache, 28×23, Auctioned in 2011 (R2,p354+364). Berson affirms (R90II,p181+190). I follow.  Huysmans reviews ‘The other shows an actress sitting in her dressing room in front of a vanity table. Not yet made up and rejuvenated, she appears, completely white against the background of the walls, in the glow filtered by one of those huge lampshades, now in fashion, the shape of which reminds us of the tube-shaped dresses worn by our grandmothers. A gentleman, standing with his hand on the back of an armchair, examines her while she looks in a mirror, her head pulled back a little by the hairdresser whose bosom swells stupendously.’ (R90I,p353;R2,p364). Geffroy (1881/04/19) reviews ‘His watercolours, Loge d’actrice, Couloir de théâtre, spiritually oppose the ugliness of men to the nasty gracefulness of women. The artificial lights and heavy shadows, the pale flesh and black clothes reproduce well the fantastic aspect of these very real scenes.’ (R90I,p343)

6IE-1881-23, Couloir de théâtre, aquarelle ; appartient à M. A. Meyer
Eng.: the (narrow) corridor / hallway of the theater. According to Browse perhaps ‘La rencontre au foyer’ (entre-acte), 34×22, private collection in London (R50,p79). Moffett follows (R2,p354). Maybe the owner was Alfred Meyer. Compare 5IE-1880-48. Huysmans reviews ‘a couloir de théâtre, people in black clothes, in the midst of which a large woman in a garnet-coloured dress advances, and the men move away or estimate her while the man on whose arm she places her gloved hand, inclines towards her the usual stupid smile of people who do favours.’ (R90I,p353). Geffroy (1881/04/19) reviews ‘His watercolours, Loge d’actrice, Couloir de théâtre, spiritually contrast the ugliness of men with the nasty gracefulness of women. The artificial lights and heavy shadows, the pale flesh and black clothes capture very well the fantastic quality of these very real scenes.’ (R90I,p343;R2,p364). Berson suggests another work: 18xx, Couloir de théâtre, wc+g, 22×36, private (R90II,p191;R2,p354). I agree with her, because it fits more the review of Huysmans. Helas I only have a black and white image. To compare I also render: 1878ca, Soirée Parisienne, gouache, 25×32, DGG Memphis (iR8;R2,p354;M160). The suggestion of Browse and Moffett, I use for 4IE-1879-93.

6IE-1881-24, Marine, aquarelle ;
Moffett doesn’t give a suggestion. Berson omits this work, which also means there were no reviews (R90II,p181). Around 1885 Forain made several marines in oil. I render a watercolour which is not dated: 18xx, Dans la tourmente (in the turmoil), wc, 23×31, A2011/03/31 (iR13;R2,p354). To compare I also render a later gouache: 1885ca, By the sea, gouache, 25×18, A2020/06/03 (iR15;R2,p354), also part of the G. Charpentier auction (A1907/04/11-40).

6IE-1881-25, Portrait de Mlle Madeleine C…, pastel
Moffett doesn’t give a suggestion. Berson omits this work, which also means there were no reviews (R90II,p181).  I assume that the person depicted is a girl or a young woman, while she was not married and she was called by her first name. Forain made several pastel portraits of (young) women, but most are not dated. I render two uncertain options: 18xx, Girl with hat, pastel, 60×45, A2016/10/21 (iR15;R2,p354); and: 1xxx, portrait of a woman (with a red plume hat), pastel, 55×39, auctioned 2017/05/11. 

6IE-1881-26, Dessin
6IE-
1881-27, Dessin
6IE-1881-28, Dessin
6IE-1881-29, Dessin
No.26-29: Eng.: drawing. Moffett doesn’t give a suggestion for these works. Berson omits these works, which also means there were no reviews (R90II,p181). I assume these works really were drawings and not watercolours as the ‘dessins’ in 5IE-1880-47-52. See also 4IE-1879-107 with the same general title. I just render 4 undated drawings in a random order to give an impression of the many drawings Forain made and he could have exhibited in 1881, I render 4 different styles of drawing: no.26: 18xx, Femme debout, de trois quarts à gauche, portant un chapeau plat, dr, 40×26, DAG Louvre (M5a,RF24304,R;R2,p354); no.27: 18xx, Homme en habit noir conversant avec une femme en robe de soirée, dr, 28×22, DAG Louvre (M5a,RF23411,R;R2,p354); no.28: 18xx, La visite, pencil, 35×28, A2008/11/19 (iR11;iR14;aR17=iR40); no.29: 18xx, visiting the artist in his studio, ink, 37×32, A2009/03/10 (iR11;iR15;R2,p354). 

 

The 8th ‘impressionist’ exposition of 1886:

General overview:

  • catalogue numbers 29-41=13
  • Moffett also suggests a work that was not in the catalogue (=hc=hors catalogue): 13+1=14
  • no. 33 probably was a pastel, though this was not indicated in the catalogue
  • no.39 is indicated in the catalogue as an esquise en grisaille; this work is not identified; mostly a grisaille is made of greyish oil paints, so I will count it as an oil painting.
  • no. 40 is indicated in the catalogue as a drawing; this work is not identified; in the sugggestion given Forain used mixed techniques; still, I will count it as a drawing.
  • so in total Forain (J.-L.) exhibited in 1886 14 works.
    • in his suggestions Moffett (R2,p444) sometimes follows Browse (R50) and others
    • 4x time indication of place
    • 0x indication of time, season or weather
    • 3x a study (no.35,36,39)
    • 8 loans (appartient à…): 2 of Durand-Ruel (no.29+33), 1 of Menier (30), Mme. T. (34), Mme de P (37), le comte de F. (38), Mme S. (39), Donnadille (40)
  • my most important sources were Moffett (R2,p444), Berson (R90II,p241/2+259/260), Faxon (R43) and Browse (R50)
  • see link for the pictures.

General reviews (R90I):
Adam (1886/04) reviewed ‘M. Forain sometimes borrows the brush of Jean Béraud, other times, that of Nittis; then he is indifferent. If he limits himself to his personal way, he becomes one of the most extraordinary exponents of modernism.’ (R90I,p428).
Jean Ajalbert (1886/06/20) reviewed: ‘he presents the grotesque and the ridiculous without pushing to the charge;'(R90II,p431).
Fénéon (1886/06/13-20) reviewed ‘The exhibition of Mr. Jean-Louis Forain is struggling. This man, who, ‘Japonais’ at first, ‘Manetiste’ later, had finally arrived at such an acute expression, expeditious and nervous of the life in the gaslight, backstage, brothels, gets cozy, puts himself at the door of all the kindnesses; last year he was at the Salon de l’Industrie; he will reintegrate this asylum, and his works will be next to those of MM. Gervex and Jean Béraud. However, here is a Forain from the past: (reviews no.37).’ (R90I,p442)
Fouquier (1886/06/16) reviewed ‘M. Forain has not so far passed for a suspect impressionist. (…) M. Forain is the real triumph of the rue Lafitte exhibition.’ (R90I,p448).
Geffroy (1886/05/26) reviewed ‘… always show a talent for expressing worldly elegance, the black-robed wedding, vicious grace.’ (R90I,p450).
Hennequin (1886/06/19) reviews ‘Mr. Frain, who is a bit like the ‘Jacquet’ (backgammon) of the group, uses elegance and modesty to paint pretty women in diffuse strokes;’ (R90I,p454).
Hermel (1886/05/28) reviewed ‘He is a joker who grasps with singular sharpness the ridiculousness of fashions and the comicality of physiognomies. His spiritual, expressive and nervous drawing vividly brings out the unconscious comicality of people, (…) Mr. Forain is first and foremost a caricaturist.’ (R90I,p457).
Octave Maus (1886/06/27) reviewed ‘(Forain), when he studies our elegant and vicious ways, has given his works a special flavour. He is the poet of corruption in black clothes, of dandyism in the boudoirs, of the high life masking the emptiness of the heart.’ (R90I,p463;R89,p124).
X (1886/05/18) reviewed ‘His large pastel is extremely noticeable.’; Berson suggests this refers to no. 31, but this is not clear; no work was called a pastel in the catalogue. 

Catalogue 1886: (R2,p444;R90I,p422;iR1)

8IE-1886-29, Femme à sa toilette; appartient à M. Durand Ruel
Browse suggests ‘Femme à sa toilette’, 1884ca, 65×55, now in a private collection in London (R50,p81). Moffett follows, so does Berson (R90II,p241+259); I do also. X (1886/05/18) just mentions the title (R90I,p473), there are no other reviews.

8IE-1886-30, Place de la Concorde; appartient à M. Menier
Moffett suggests 1884, Place de la Concorde, 71×51, private collection in England (R2,p444+429), so does Berson (R90II,p241+260). I follow. There were several reviews (R90II,p241). X (1886/05/18) reviews ‘His young man who comes out of the circle and lights his cigar at night on the pipe of a sweeper is a page of a charming realism and that everyone would be pleased to possess.’  (R90I,p473) Labruyère (1886/05/17) reviews ‘a pastel of grand value’ (R90I,p460). The buildings in the background are the Ministère de la Marine and the Madeleine. Forain painted the scene at dawn from a hired cab (R89,p124).

8IE-1886-31, Portrait de Mme W.
Moffett doesn’t give a suggestion. Berson leaves it unidentified, but refers to several reviews. Jean Ajalbert (1886/06/20) reviews: ‘His large portrait, harmonious of outline, and well arranged, will undoubtedly bring him many commissions;’ (R90II,p431). Christophe (1886/06/13) reviews ‘Then, Mr. J.-L. Forain, who, this year, by a considerable portrait, very well done, of Mrs. W. (a blond, in lilac, with a high chamois coat, on a pink cushioned couch, with, behind, a garden with green trees) wanted to prove to us that he would be, if he wanted, a superior Gervex – a vain demonstration,’ (R90I,p436). Fèvre (1886/05-06) reviews ‘and a large portrait, but very pale, very empty, and not as good as his gigantic collection of Parisian coleopteres, on the canvas by his pencil pointed as by a pin. ‘ (R90I,p446). Fouquier (1886/06/16) reviews ‘The Portrait de Mme W…in a blue dress on a green background, is an important and interesting page in the work of M. Forain. The figure turns well in the air and seems, as they say in studio terms, modelled from the interior. It has consistency without heaviness, delicacy without sentimentality. Some details, particularly fortunate, reveal the eye of a true colourist: the white fan in nuanced contrast with the Suede gloves, a pink cushion that contrasts harmoniously with the tender and receding blue tones of the dress. No harsh accents that surprise and annoy. No brutality, no reports of dubious boldness. It is the work of a sincere, original and gifted artist. Only I admit that there are painters in the rue Laffitte who are more impressionistic than M. Forain. ‘ (R90I,p448). Roger Marx (1886/05/17) reviews ‘His large pastel is distinction and grace itself,’ (R90I,p461). Moniteur des arts (1886/05/21) reviewd ‘The portrait of Mrs. W. is a large and very decorative pastel, in which a demi-mondaine, in a pale blue dress, stands out gently against a raw green landscape, next to a marble column: a very large and successful piece. ‘ (R90I,p467) La Republique française (1886/05/17) reviewed ‘His charcoal portrait of a woman is very beautiful;’ (R90I,p472); note Berson refers this to no. 31, but is this just? I could find just one picture with a woman on a couch; she holds a white fan, there is a green background, but probably a painting, not a landscape; you can say the dress has some blueish and lilac elements; there is no marble column, but a screen; but the woman definitely is no blond; there are no pink cushions; it is an oil painting, not a pastel and it is not very large; stil I will give it to compare: 1880ca, Woman on a Chaise-longue, 41×34, AMAA Oxford (iR2;iR64;R2,p444).

8IE-1886-32, Portrait de Mme S.
Moffett doesn’t give a suggestion. Berson leaves it unidentified, but refers to several reviews. But none of the reviews give a discription. As an uncertain suggestion I give: 18xx, portrait of a lady (à Mathilde Salle), xx, auctioned 2006/06/21.

8IE-1886-33, Femme respirant des fleurs; appartient à M. Durand Ruel
Eng.: Woman smelling / breathing in flowers. Moffett suggests 1883ca, Woman with a Fan, pastel, 90×79, now in Memphis (R2,p444+455), Berson follows (R90II,p241+260). But this work is a pastel, which is not indicated in the catalogue. By lack of alternative I follow Moffett and Berson, who refers to 5 reviews. Reff affirms this suggestion and also that around 1886 it was part of the Durand-Ruel collection (R316,p78)

8IE-1886-34, Femme fumant une cigarette; appartient à Mme. T.
Eng.: Woman smoking a cigarette. Following Faxon Moffett suggests with a perhaps a work in the Cabinet des Dessins in the Louvre, maybe they mean: 18xx, enfin seul !, ink+wc, 23×22, DAG Louvre (M5a,RF3004R;R2,p444). Berson leaves it unidentified and emphasizes that the reviews refer to a pastel and not to a watercolour as suggested by Moffett; but when I look at the reviews she refers to, I can’t find that they call this work a pastel (R90II,p242). I assume that the next work is a better option: 1882-85ca, The Box (At the Skating Café), 65×93, MFA Boston (iR2;R43,p38;M22). The woman in the middle is smoking a cigarette. (Note: I couldn’t find it in the Boston collection.)

8IE-1886-35, Tête d’étude
8IE-1886-36, Tête d’étude
no. 35+36: Eng.: studie of a head. Moffett doesn’t give a suggestion for these works, nor does Berson, who refers to 6 reviews. Adam (1886/04) reviews: ‘But if the pastelist wants to establish in a physiognomy the tone of an epoch and an age… In that way Tête d’étude: a young girl whose hair and skin do not even reach the tone of dry hemp. His youth, marked by the bright red of thin and elongated lips; -covered to the iris by the bloodless eyelids, too heavy, gray eyes that accompany the sad smile of the lips, lips with soft, mocking corners -the slender neck, so thin, that it will bend and crack. The cheekbones are prominent; however, there are round cheeks; – they say that one is still very young to have so much flesh. Soon this flesh will become thinner, will disappear, will melt in the dark tones of the skin; and the fine hair is grey rather than blond, grey like the reflections of the pink wall hanging where the figure smiles and is signed to be so attractive.’ (R90I,p428/9). Darzens (1886/05) reviews ‘serious studies of a female head’ (R90I,p439); it seems he means two studies of one head. Fèvre reviews ‘in pastels, vicious and nicely annoying faces of chicks,’ (R90I,p444). Hennequin (1886/06/19) reviews ‘and a strange ’tête d’étude’ on a grey background are the most interesting.’ (R90I,p454). Paulet (1886/06/05) reviewed ‘his pastel portraits’ (R90I,p469). As uncertain suggestions I give two portraits of a woman with a slender neck: 18xx, Woman with a Hat, 92×68, A2014/05/07 (iR2;iR15;R2,p444;R90I,p428/9); and: 18xx, Tête de femme (Young Lady with Hat Decorated with Cherries), 64×53, auctioned 2017/10/15 (iR11;iR10). 

8IE-1886-37, Jeune fille au bal; appartient à Mme de P.
Following Faxon (no.8) Moffett suggests with a perhaps a work in the Galerie Reichenbach. Berson leaves the work unidentified; there were several reviews. X just mentions the work. Adam (1886/04) reviews: ‘To complete the caricature of the bourgeoisie, M. Forain excels particularly. He represents a mother admiring her daughter before the ball. In profile, the mother, clumsy in spite of the strings of the corset and of her pearly dress; and the curve of its four-sided back bulges out, breaking everything. The girl, with outlined ribs(?), is vaporizing, barely discernible in the tight green cloth. The light comes out of the folded paper lampshade and reveals a blue tapestry, of this blue that only the taste of the Parisian shopkeeper can choose. ‘ (R90I,p428). Jean Ajalbert (1886/06/20) reviews: ‘A fat woman, bursting out of her dress ready to break, is lecturing a girl, probably her own, in evening dress, sitting on a piano stool, in the clarity of a lamp with a piped shade.What does she say to her! recommendations, reproaches, not too much dancing… Mister such a… What do I know? But this mother, this daughter we know them to have met them; we danced with the young person under the draconian glance of the old matron, and the painter returned them to us as they are.'(R90I,p431). Fénéon (1886/06/13-20) reviews ‘a forty-year-old woman in a heavy red dress pours a flow of words on the top of the traingle in which her daughter has the gloomy tulle dress.’ (R90I,p442) Fèvre (1886/05-06) reviews ‘Or a cosy Gothon, with a snarling roundness, a Madame Josserand, with a gaudy feather on her head like a rooster, melodramatically lecturing her insect daughter, back from the ball, who has just missed a good matrimonial deal.’ (R90I,p446). All these reviews fit quite well with the following work: 1886, jeune fille s’habillant (young girl dressing herself), 40×33, A2006/06/11 (iR11;iR14;iR2;R2,p444;R90I).

8IE-1886-38, Femme en noir; appartient à M. le comte de F.
Eng.: woman in black. Moffett doesn’t give a suggestion. Berson leaves the work unidentified and refers to a review of X, who just mentions the work (R90I,p473), there were no other reviews. I will render two uncertain options: 18xx, Elégante à la robe noire dans un fauteuil, 46×37, auctioned 2016/09/14; and:  18xx, Woman in black with fan, oil on panel, 35×46, A2000/12/10 (iR13;R2,p444).

8IE-1886-39, Souvenir de Chantilly (esquisse en grisaille) ; appartient à Mme S.
Eng.: Souvenir from Chantilly (grisaille study). A grisaille is a painting made in shades of grey (iR3). Following Faxon Moffett suggests a work in a private collection in Paris. Berson leaves the work unidentified; there were several reviews. Adam (1886/04) reviews: ‘Souvenir de Chantilly. The stormy sky and the track tarnished with lead, all the hues suffocated in this pale work that precedes a rain shower; alone, a wall, at the bottom, bursts with its pale whitewash. The crowd is swarming with people who wear the color of the sky; and among the fading of the air die themselves the raw colors of the jockeys’ helmets. In the gray, beards and binoculars bow and hats without gleam. The only high notes: a woman’s putty raincoat, and this back wall.’ (R90I,p428). Fèvre (1886/05-06) reviews ‘So often it is a confusion of crowds in black clothes and tubes, with the heads of sportsmen, on the racetrack of Chantilly, with a teasing face, or the red of a corner of an umbrella which pierces on this gray and baroque swarming, under a sky of charcoal, like a ribbon of decoration on a frock coat.’ (R90I,p446). Roger Marx (1886/05/17) reviews ‘and I do not think it is possible to put into a quickly translated impression more movement, more truthfulness than is found in the Souvenirs des courses de Chantilly. ‘ (R90I,p461). Paulet (1886/06/05) reviewed ‘its swarming picture of the Chantilly weighing house (for jockeys)’ (R90I,p469). La Republique française (1886/05/17) reviewed ‘his view of the racecourse. Visitors who still want to laugh will find a good opportunity here, with ‘intentional’ fans that look like child’s play. ‘ (R90I,p472). Chantilly lies about 50km north of Paris (see map). Forain made several pictures of horse racing, I think this work comes most close to the descriptions in the reviews: 1885-90, The course à Chantilly, 65×92, A2004/06/12 (iR13;iR10;R2,p444;R90I).

8IE-1886-40, Un coin à l’Opéra (dessin à l’encre de Chine) ; appartient à M. Donnadille
Eng.: In the corner of the Opera (drawing with Chinese ink). Moffett doesn’t give a suggestion. Berson leaves the work unidentified; there were some reviews, but they don’t describe this work. I render two uncertain options: 1. 18xx, Entrée dans le monde, encre de Chine+gouache+wc, 37×21, DAG Louvre (M5a,RF10752R;iR23;R2,p444); and 2.: 1xxx, Un coin des coulisses de l’Opéra, ink+g+wc, 34×20, A2003/02/27 (iR15;iR11;iR10;iR64;R2,p444).
To compare I give: 1xxx, Un coin des coulisses de l’Opéra, gouache, 33×20, auctioned 2003/02/27. It seems that apart from gouache Forain has also used ink for the art-work.

8IE-1886-41, Pompier dans les coulisses de l’Opéra
Eng.: fireman backstage in the wings of the Opera. Following Chagnaud-Forain (no.28) Moffett suggests a work now in the Galerie Reichenbach (R2,p444). Berson affirms that the review of Ajalbert affirms this suggestion (R90II,p242+260); there were several reviews. Jean Ajalbert (1886/06/20) reviews: ‘Let’s mention the “Pompier dans la coulisse”. He is lost in this world of singers, dancers, chorus girls, figurantes; these powdered breasts, these thighs in flesh suits, cheeks full of blush, the gazlight and the rise to the brain of the desires; and on the other side of the banister the sweaty room, intoxicating; lubricating, all this fever envelops the Fireman, naief, stiff, bewildered, with his hands behind his back, and his helmet on his back…’ (R90II,p431). Now: 18xx, Pompier de service, xx, former Galerie Reichenbach (R90II,p260;R2,p444;R90I).

8IE-1886-41+hc, Portrait de Jacques-Emile Blanche
Moffett, following Faxon suggests: 1884, Portrait de Jacques-Emile Blanche, 64×40, MBA Rouen (R2,p444). Berson affirms (R90II,p242+260). Fèvre (1886/05-06) reviews ‘Or it is a kind of big Yankee, round and shaved, displaying a puffy pschuttism, a heavy pomp of parvenu.’ (R90I,p446). Octave Maus (1886/06/27) reviews ‘The Portrait de Jacques Blanche, a bit heavy-handed’ (R90I,p463). Blanche was a painter and an art-critic (R43,p36).

 

Forain at the Salon:
Forain didn’t exhibit at the Salon and was rejected in 1874.

S1874-R,  Bouteille de Marasquin avec un paquet de biscuits
Eng.: A bottle with Marasquin (a sort of liquor) with a packet of cookies. His ‘Still-life with a bottle’ was refused (R43,p13;R50,p21;R89,p122;R88,p250). To compare I give one of his few known still lives: 1xxx, Nature morte, xx, auctioned 2005/10/26 (iR11).

Forain at the Salon de la Société des Artistes Français (=SdAF):
Forain exhibited at the successor of the Salon of the Société des Artistes Français from 1883-85 (iR1).

SdAF-1883-2800, Souvenir du bal de l’Opéra ;
Additional info: Part of ‘Dessins, cartons, aquarelles, pastels, miniatures vitraux, émaux, porcelaines, faïences’ (iR1).

SdAF-1884-951,  Le buffet
Now: 1883-84, Le buffet (La comédie français), 94×148, private (iR11;iR41;R50,p26+101;R43,p36). Forain had been noticed (R1,p509).

SdAF-1885-993, Le veuf
Now: 1884-85, The widower,140×99, Orsay (iR6;R50,p26+102;R43,p57)

 

Forain at the Salon de la Société National des Beaux-Arts (=SNBA):
Forain exhibited at the Société Nationale des Beaux-Arts in 1890. Maybe he also did in 1892, but the Salon database, nor other sources render more information (iR1;iR19;iR40;iR2). Another sources indicates he also exhibited in 1919 +1922 +1931 (aR4). Anyway he was President of the Société from 1925 till 1931 (R43,p56+58;R50,p62;R88).

SNBA-1890-1036, 23 dessins originaux ayant été reproduits dans le Courrier Français.

 

Forain at the Société des Patellistes Français:
Forain was member of the Société des Pastellistes Français and exhibited in 1892 and 1893 at the Georges Petit gallery (iR19).

GP-8SPF-1892-41, Intérieur de coulisses; appartient à M. Crouau.
GP-8SPF-1892-42, Intérieur de coulisses.
GP-8SPF-1892-43, Étude.
GP-8SPF-1892-44, Intérieur d’atelier.
GP-8SPF-1892-45, Portrait de Mme X.

GP-9SPF-1893-44, Intérieur d’atelier.
GP-9SPF-1893-45, Coulour de théâtre.

 

Forain at the Salon d’Automne:
Forain his art-works were exhibited at the Salon d’Automne. In 1903 (aR4) and in 1905 book illustrations (iR1).

SdA-1905,p179, Exposition du livre Plon-Nourrit. La Comédie parisienne. Ex. sur Chine.

 

Forain at regional exhibitions:
Forain sometimes exhibited at regional exhibitions. (iR1)

Rouen-1907-95, Le foyer de la danse.
Maybe lent by M. M. Bernheim, whose correspondance address was given.

Mulhouse-1905-159, Les magistrats.
Mulhouse-1905-509, Danseuse (pastel).

Mulhouse-1908-139, Au palais.

 

Forain at art-dealers:
Forain his art-works were exhibited at art-dealers.

1890: first one-man show with only drawings at Boussod-Valadon (R50,p29)

1893: at the Galerie Georges Petit 140 of Forains drawings were offered for sale (R50,p31)

 

Forain, exhibitions at Museums:
In 1913 Forain had his most important exhibition at the Musée des Arts Decoratifs, showing 70 oil paintings / pastels / gouaches, 69 prints (etching and lithography) and 270 drawings (R50,p56/7). Faxon/Chagnaud-Forain mentions a total of 390 in stead of 409 (R43,p58;aR4)

 

Forain at the Exposition Universelle:
5 drawings of Forain were shown at the Exposition Universelle in Ghent (1913).

Ghent-EU-1913-175, Sur la berge, drawing
Ghent-EU-1913-176, Au Palais de Justice, drawing
Ghent-EU-1913-177, Femme couchée, drawing
Ghent-EU-1913-178, Déjeuner des convalescents, drawing
Ghent-EU-1913-179, Au Skating, drawing

 

Forain at Centennial exhibitions:
Works of Forain were exhibited at a centennial exhibition in Saint-Petersbourg in 1912.

Saint-Petersbourg-1912-631. Danseuse assise sur un canapé (Dancer Sitting on a Sofa], drawing
Saint-Petersbourg-1912-632. La convalescente (Convalescent], drawing
Saint-Petersbourg-1912-633. Monsieur le ministre (Minister], drawing
Saint-Petersbourg-1912-634. Portrait d᾿une dame americaine (Portrait of an American Woman], drawing
Saint-Petersbourg-1912-635. Sur la Plage à Trouville (On the Beach of Trouville]
Saint-Petersbourg-1912-636. Le Repos du Ballet (Ballet]
Saint-Petersbourg-1912-637. La Lever (Sunrise]
Saint-Petersbourg-1912-638. Jeune femme debout près de son lit (Young Woman at her Bed], drawing
Saint-Petersbourg-1912-639. La petite loge de la danseuse (Little Dressing Room of a Dancer, aquarelle

 

Forain at international exhibitions:
In 1886 Durand-Ruel showed 4 works of Forain in New York at the exhibition of ‘works in oil and pastel by the Impressionists of Paris‘ (R43,p20;R22IV,p1017;aR4;R1,p544). In 1888 he exhibited with Les XX in Brussels (aR4). In 1889 he exhibited with the Scandinavian and French Impressionists (aR4). Forain also exhibited at other international exhibitions, namely in London 1898.

London-1898-45, Study, lithographie en couleurs.
London-1898-196, Portrait

 

Forain at La Libre Esthétique in Brussels:
Forain exhibited 49 (!) art-works with La Libre Esthétique in 1912 (R237=iR261).

19LE-1912-95. Les Courses 1886

19LE-1912-96. Aux courses

19LE-1912-97. Avant l’audience (appartient à M. Ed. Copper)

19LE-1912-98. L’Accusée  (appartient à M. Ed. Copper)

19LE-1912-99. La Plaidoirie (appartient à M. Ed. Copper)

19LE-1912-100. La Fille mère (appartient à M. Ed. Copper)

19LE-1912-101. Au Palais

19LE-1912-102. L’affaire X…

19LE-1912-103. Scène de tribunal (appartient à MM. J. et G. Bernheim (collection particulière)

19LE-1912-104. A la Barre

19LE-1912-105. Danseuses

19LE-1912-106. Danseuse rattachant son chausson (appartient à M. A. Beurdeley)

19LE-1912-107. Entrée du ballet

19LE-1912-108. Deux danseuses

19LE-1912-109. Au foyer de la danse

19LE-1912-110. Danseuse

19LE-1912-111. Dans les coulisses

19LE-1912-112. Dans les coulisses

19LE-1912-113. Femme aux affiches

19LE-1912-114. Femme attachant sa chemise

19LE-1912-115. Femme au canotier

19LE-1912-116. Le Souper (appartient à  M. Ed. Copper)

19LE-1912-117. La Chanteuse

19LE-1912-118. Femme dans une loge

19LE-1912-119. La Toilette (appartient à  M. Petitdidier)

19LE-1912-120. Chez le peintre

19LE-1912-121. La Tentation

19LE-1912-122. Ouvrier et sa famille

19LE-1912-123. Fête romaine, pastel

19LE-1912-124. Danseuse rattachant son chausson, pastel

19LE-1912-125. Au Palais de justice, aquarelle (appartient à M. L. He[…]aux)

19LE-1912-126. Le Déjeuner du matin, aquarelle (appartient à M. L. He[…]aux)

19LE-1912-127. Le Modèle, aquarelle (appartient à M. L. He[…]aux)

19LE-1912-128. Le Lever, aquarelle (appartient à M. L. He[…]aux)

19LE-1912-129. Le Déshabillé du modèle, aquarelle (appartient à M. L. He[…]aux)

19LE-1912-130. L’Huissier, aquarelle

19LE-1912-131. La Faute, aquarelle

19LE-1912-132. L’Éponge, aquarelle

19LE-1912-133. Les Bonnes sœurs, aquarelle

19LE-1912-134. Le Chapeau, aquarelle

19LE-1912-135. Sur le lit, aquarelle

19LE-1912-136. Le Bain, aquarelle

19LE-1912-137. La Cinquantaine,

19LE-1912-138. L’Inspiration, drawing (appartient à M. A. Beurdeley)

19LE-1912-139. Étude de femme nue, drawing  (appartient à M. A. Beurdeley)

19LE-1912-140. Danseuse vue de dos, drawing

19LE-1912-141. Étude de femme, drawing

19LE-1912-142. Danseuse, drawing

19LE-1912-143. Le Tambourin, drawing

 

 

Recommanded citation: “Impressionism: Jean-Louis Forain, an account of his exhibited works. Last modified 2024/03/09.  https://www.impressionism.nl/forain-account/.”