In a French Village
1920-1923
Medium
pastel on gray wove paper
Dimensions
sheet: 32.39 × 40.8 cm (12 3/4 × 16 1/16 in.)
Classification
Drawing
Department
CG-W
Museum
National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.
Credit
Corcoran Collection (Gift of Mrs. Armistead Peter III [Caroline Ogden-Jones Peter])
Accession Number
2015.19.1027
Art Historical Context
**In a French Village** by American artist Walter Griffin, crafted between 1920 and1923, invites viewers into the serene charm of rural France. Rendered in pastel on gray wove paper (32.39 × 40.8 cm), this drawing exemplifies Griffin's mastery of atmospheric landscapes, a hallmark of early 20th-century American who drew inspiration from European scenes. The post-World War I era context adds poignancy, as such works often evoked peaceful village life amid Europe's recovery, blending nostalgia with subtle observation. Pastel, a medium Griffin favored, allows for soft, luminous effects through l...