Lucien De Maleville (1881-1964) French Soldiers In A Northern Town

Lucien de MALEVILLE
(Périgueux 1881 - 1964)
French soldiers in a northern town during the Great War
Graphite and charcoal on paper
H. 17.5 cm; L. 12 cm
Signed lower right, dated 1918

During the Great War, Maleville was, as he called himself, an artist-tringlot. With his crippled arm, he was unable to participate directly in the fighting, and so spent much of the war with the Trains des équipages, where he served at the rear of the front. He was stationed in Amiens for a long time, where he met his master Désiré-Lucas, and where a true friendship was born between the two men. A prolific artist in spite of his circumstances, Maleville sketched, caricatured, illustrated and brought back numerous works from these northern towns, many of which have remained confidential.

Our drawing of French soldiers and a vehicle in a town was certainly done a few kilometers from the front, perhaps in Amiens...
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