Lost Illusions II c. 1918

Jean-Louis Forain made this drawing, Lost Illusions II, using pencil on paper. The immediacy of the medium gives us a snapshot of the artist’s perspective. The qualities of a pencil – its ease of use, affordability, and portability – have historically made it accessible to many artists. The artist’s quick strokes, with a range of shading, create the figures of burdened soldiers with a raw emotional resonance. The marks carry the weight of their reality. Forain produced many sketches during the First World War, a time of immense social and political upheaval. They are a testament to a dark chapter in human history, revealing the impact of large-scale conflict on ordinary lives. Ultimately, works like this remind us that the choice of materials and making processes can powerfully convey social and cultural significance, challenging our traditional views about fine art and craft.