The Hearing (third plate) 

Jean-Louis Forain made this print called 'The Hearing' sometime in the late 19th or early 20th century, likely in France. It shows a courtroom scene, a familiar setting to Forain, who supplemented his income drawing for newspapers like Le Figaro, often covering legal proceedings. In this image, Forain critiques the very institutions that provided him a living. Note the way he positions the viewer. We are not with the accused, nor with the judges, but rather in the crowd, forced to observe. What do we see? Figures of authority, but rendered vaguely, their faces obscured. The faceless mass of the public, in contrast, are distinct individuals. Forain suggests the law, which should serve the people, has become an abstract force, distant from the common man. Historical documents from the time, including newspapers and court transcripts, can offer a deeper understanding of the social dynamics reflected in Forain's art. This print invites us to reflect on the power structures within society and the role of the artist in challenging them.