Two French Soldiers near a Notice Board c. 1914 - 1919

Jean-Louis Forain made this drawing of two French soldiers near a notice board using ink and wash, and what grabs me is his willingness to let the process show. The lines are searching, like the soldiers themselves. There's a palpable sense of uncertainty in the way Forain renders the scene, with the figures almost dissolving into the background. He captures a moment of pause, of waiting, the weight of their packs mirrored in the loose, fluid washes of ink. Look at how the dark, scribbled lines create a sense of depth, pulling you into the scene, the soldiers rendered with just enough detail to evoke their weariness. The negative space around them feels charged with unspoken tension. It reminds me of Daumier's social commentary, but with a more intimate, melancholic touch. Forain's sketch embraces the messy, unresolved nature of experience, inviting us to contemplate the human cost of conflict. There's no right or wrong way to interpret this, it's all about feeling the weight of the moment.