The Forgotten 

"The Forgotten" is a poignant painting by Hugues Merle, a French artist known for his realist depictions of social issues. This piece, likely from the 19th century, showcases a woman desperately looking upwards while holding an infant. A young child stands beside her, their faces conveying a sense of hardship and despair. The composition and the sorrowful expressions of the figures draw attention to the plight of poverty and the fragility of life, making the viewer contemplate the social injustices of the time. Merle's work often explored themes of social realism, prompting viewers to consider the struggles of the marginalized and the consequences of poverty.