Poilu and Nurse c. 1914 - 1919

"Poilu and Nurse" is a poignant ink drawing by the renowned French artist Jean-Louis Forain, created during the tumultuous years of World War I (c. 1914-1919). The sketch depicts a stark scene of a French soldier, known as a "Poilu," standing with his back to the viewer, seemingly lost in thought, while a nurse stands in the distance, perhaps tending to the wounded. Forain's masterful use of line and shading creates a sense of isolation and the weight of war, emphasizing the human cost of conflict. This simple yet powerful composition reflects Forain's keen observation of the social and political landscape of his time.