At the Peace Conference c. 1919

Jean-Louis Forain created this lithograph titled "At the Peace Conference" in France, likely around 1919. The image presents us with two figures, possibly soldiers, one standing dejectedly in the corner, and the other seated, seemingly exhausted. Forain was known for his satirical commentary on French society, and this work likely reflects the disillusionment and weariness that followed the First World War. The Treaty of Versailles, intended to secure peace, instead sowed the seeds of future conflict through its punitive measures and redrawing of national boundaries. The artist used the visual codes of posture and placement to create meaning here. To truly understand this print, we'd need to delve into the historical context: studying political cartoons of the era, the social climate in post-war France, and Forain’s own biography and artistic influences. By understanding the institutional history of the moment, we can interpret it as a powerful statement on the human cost of war and the fragility of peace.