“They Are Burning Everything – They must be about to Retreat” c. 1919

Editor: We’re looking at Jean-Louis Forain’s drawing, “They Are Burning Everything – They Must Be About to Retreat,” made around 1919. The figures seem consumed by grief, while the city behind them goes up in flames. What story do you see in this piece? Curator: The title itself hints at a violent departure, a scorched-earth policy enacted during wartime. This work screams of the profound human cost of conflict, and how war disproportionately impacts women. Look at the way Forain uses stark lines and shadows to convey the raw emotion. How might the expressions of the figures, particularly the woman carrying another, relate to broader experiences of women during times of war and upheaval? Editor: That’s a powerful point. Their faces definitely convey anguish. The way she carries the other figure evokes ideas of resilience. Was Forain trying to highlight their strength, even in this moment of destruction? Curator: Exactly! This drawing might also invite discussion about nationalism, militarism, and their consequences on civilian populations. Forain invites us to think about war not as an abstract concept, but as a brutal reality lived by individuals, particularly women, who are often left to pick up the pieces. It also evokes debates about representation, victimhood, and resistance during conflict. Editor: So, by placing this drawing in the context of post-war reflection and the broader struggle for gender equality, we can unpack these layers of meaning. Curator: Precisely. The drawing becomes more than just a depiction of suffering, but also a powerful commentary on the systemic inequalities exacerbated by war, an important conversation. Editor: Thank you; that provides a broader lens for understanding this work. I learned a lot. Curator: Likewise. Considering art through these critical frameworks helps us connect with the humanity within it, across time and cultures.