Fetters c. 1919

"Fetters", a charcoal drawing by Jean-Louis Forain created around 1919, depicts a poignant scene of a woman holding a chain and shackles while standing before a seated figure. The drawing, rendered in a loose and expressive style characteristic of Forain, evokes a sense of melancholy and confinement. The figures' postures and the presence of the chains suggest a theme of constraint and entrapment. Forain, a renowned French artist known for his satirical and often cynical depictions of society, explores the complexities of human relationships and societal norms through this evocative artwork.