Forain j. L. - wash - portrait of a woman - ~17. 4x12. 3cm; the work, dated june 1915, bears the following dedication preceding the signature: “to lieutenant guirand de scevola, his soldier”. Lucien-victor guirand de scévola (1871-1950) is a french painter esteemed for his symbolist creations and for his portraits. He is considered one of the inventors of military camouflage in 1914; in 1915 joffre, convinced by the effectiveness of camouflage, gave a regular organization to the “camoufleurs” under the command of guirand de scévola, who surrounded himself with various artists, including forain. A photo can be found in the army museum showing forain and guirand de scevola together in the field. The subject of this wash could be a nod to the numerous portraits of guirand de scevola showing young women with undone hair (forain "camouflages" himself in some way behind "his" lieutenant guirand de scevola). The person depicted could be a common acquaintance of the two artists.
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