In the Reading Room 

"In the Reading Room" is a black and white ink drawing by French artist Jean-Louis Forain (1852-1931). The work depicts two men in a reading room, one seated and looking down at a book, the other standing and looking over his shoulder. The drawing is done in a loose, gestural style, characteristic of Forain's work. The subject matter of the drawing is typical of Forain's oeuvre, which often explored the social and political life of 19th-century Paris. The drawing is a satirical commentary on the world of literature and intellectualism. It is drawn with hatching and cross-hatching for shading and highlights and offers a glimpse into the world of the French elite. The artwork is a part of the genre of Realism, a movement that sought to portray everyday life and social issues with honesty and objectivity.