Sketches of a Framed Riot Scene and of a Man (recto); Woman with a Bonnet (verso) c. 1887

Jean-Louis Forain made this sketch of a framed riot scene, and a man, with pen and black ink, and gray wash on paper. Although quickly drawn, the rioting scene has a strong narrative element: a man, presumably a protestor, is being dragged away by two police officers, while a crowd gathers in the background. Made in France, this sketch likely captures a moment of social unrest characteristic of late 19th century Paris. Following the Franco-Prussian War and the Paris Commune, the Third Republic was marked by political instability and frequent social upheaval. Forain, an artist known for his satirical commentary on Parisian life, often depicted the social tensions of the era. By studying historical documents, newspapers, and political cartoons from that time, we can better understand the specific events that Forain might have been referencing in this compelling sketch.