Enrolement Service Militaire Jules Pascin (1885-1930)

The drawing presents a scene centered around military enlistment. Here we observe three figures engaged in what appears to be a registration or examination process. The central figure, presumably an officer or official, is depicted with a pronounced, almost caricatured facial structure, his head tilted downwards as he scrutinizes the man standing before him. This individual, dressed in civilian attire and with his hands clasped in front of him, seems to be awaiting assessment.
To the right stands a soldier, holding a rifle upright. His posture is rigid, suggesting alertness or perhaps a forced formality. The artist has rendered him with a simplified form, emphasizing the verticality of the weapon and the soldier’s stance. A sense of detachment emanates from this figure; he seems less involved in the interaction occurring between the other two men.
The drawings style is characterized by loose lines and an absence of detailed shading, lending it a sketch-like quality. The figures are rendered with a degree of distortion, which contributes to a feeling of unease or perhaps even satire. This stylistic choice moves beyond mere representation; it suggests a commentary on the process itself – the impersonal nature of military recruitment, the potential for dehumanization, and the anxieties associated with entering into service.
The inscription at the bottom, Passesie V.S.A. 1915, provides temporal context, anchoring the scene within the period of World War I. This information reinforces the understanding that the drawing likely reflects the pressures and realities of wartime mobilization. The overall impression is one of a fleeting moment captured with an underlying sense of cynicism or critical observation regarding the machinery of war and its impact on individuals.