Advocaat met klanten voor de rechtbank 1909

Jean-Louis Forain made this etching, Advocaat met klanten voor de rechtbank, sometime between the late 19th and early 20th century. The marks are scratchy and anxious. It reminds me that artmaking is often about process, it’s about the artist figuring something out. There’s a density to the lines on the left side that suggests a heavy, almost burdensome mood. A mother and child appear on the right, rendered with delicate lines that hint at vulnerability. The contrast creates a charged atmosphere, pulling you into the emotional gravity of the courtroom scene. Look at the way Forain uses hatching to create shadows and volume. It’s a technique reminiscent of Daumier, but with a uniquely nervous energy. It’s like he's capturing not just what he sees, but the feeling of being there. It's this expressive quality that elevates the work beyond a mere illustration. It becomes a powerful comment on the human condition.