Poilu Acknowledging German Soldier c. 1918

Jean-Louis Forain's "Poilu Acknowledging German Soldier" is a poignant drawing created in c. 1918. The artist uses charcoal on paper to depict a French soldier, a "poilu," acknowledging a wounded German soldier in a gesture of compassion. The sketchy and expressive lines convey the harsh realities of war and the human connection that transcends enemy lines. The artwork's caption, "Ah, bien, vrai! Je ne te croyais pas si malade..." ("Ah, well, true! I didn't think you were so sick..."), emphasizes the raw emotion and vulnerability of the moment. Forain's drawing serves as a powerful reminder of the shared humanity experienced during wartime.