French Workers 1942

"French Workers" is a 1942 painting by Ben, depicting a group of men with their arms raised in a gesture of defiance against a red poster displaying the official Vichy Decree. The painting's stark realism and focus on the workers' hands emphasize the forced labor imposed by the Vichy regime during World War II. The poster's prominent red color and the men's grim expressions contribute to the painting's powerful and somber tone. This work stands as a testament to the struggles faced by French workers during this turbulent period.