Versailles, 28 Juin 1914 - 1919

Jean-Louis Forain created this lithograph titled "Versailles, 28 Juin." The date is significant; it marks the signing of the Treaty of Versailles in 1919, formally ending World War I. Forain, living through the Franco-Prussian War and later World War I, was deeply affected by the political and social upheavals of his time. This work captures the somber atmosphere and the weight of the historical moment. We see a lone figure, presumably a German official, seated at a table, his helmet before him, embodying defeat. The faceless crowd in the background suggests the multitude of lives impacted by the war and the treaty. The inscription “La séance est levée” translates to "The session is adjourned," signaling closure, but perhaps also hinting at the lingering tensions and unresolved issues that would continue to shape the 20th century. The artist invites us to reflect on the human cost of conflict and the complexities of peace. Forain leaves us contemplating not just the end of one war, but the seeds of future conflicts sown in the aftermath.