Behind the Scenes 

Jean-Louis Forain made this watercolour painting, Behind the Scenes, in France. It's hard to precisely date it, but we know it was sometime between 1870 and 1930. The image offers a glimpse into the social dynamics of Parisian theatre. Forain presents us with a clandestine encounter, a well-dressed man and a woman, presumably a performer, locked in a private moment while another man lurks in the background, maybe an unwanted chaperone. Forain was known for his illustrations of Parisian life, often revealing the undercurrents of social interaction. Here he captures the class dynamics of the time, where wealthy patrons often sought the company of performers, a common theme in the art of the era. By studying historical documents, theatre programs, and social commentaries from the period, we can uncover the hidden stories behind this painting. Art like this reflects and shapes the social norms of its time, challenging us to think about the politics of art and the social conditions that shape artistic production.