Staking van fabrieksarbeiders c. 1897

"Staking van fabrieksarbeiders" (c. 1897) by Jean-Louis Forain is a stark depiction of a labor protest. The print, executed in charcoal and measuring 228 mm by 294 mm, portrays a large crowd of factory workers gathered before a speaker, who stands upon a platform, gesturing emphatically. The scene is dominated by the speaker's imposing figure and the dense, almost anonymous masses of workers, suggesting the power dynamics of the industrial era. The distant factory in the background further emphasizes the social and economic context of the work. This print reflects Forain's interest in social commentary and the stark realities of modern life, particularly the plight of the working class.