Two Men in Top Hats 

Jean-Louis Forain made this drawing, "Two Men in Top Hats," using ink on paper. The stark contrast between the black ink and the pale paper gives the image a sense of immediacy, as if capturing a fleeting moment. Forain's choice of materials and technique—the directness of ink drawing—is essential to the artwork's social commentary. There's no laborious process of building up layers or refining details, but rather a quick, confident application of ink. The medium reflects the artist's intent to capture a candid view of Parisian society. The heavy strokes of ink create the men’s formal attire, but it also suggests a certain weightiness or burden. The use of black ink—applied rapidly, without correction—mirrors the social realities of the time, marked by class distinctions and economic disparities. Forain's quick, economical strokes imply a world defined by work, labor, and the social structures that shape everyday life. Ultimately, understanding the materials and the making process allows us to appreciate how Forain used art not just to represent but to critique the society around him.