Pilgrims at Emmaus 1912 - 1913

Jean-Louis Forain created this drawing, Pilgrims at Emmaus, using graphite, charcoal, and stumping. It depicts a biblical scene in a way that reflects the social realities of late 19th-century France. Forain was known for his commentary on Parisian life, often depicting the working class and marginalized figures. In this drawing, the setting is humble, and the figures appear worn. The Pilgrims at Emmaus were travelers, so this is an interesting way of alluding to the experience of ordinary people, such as recent migrants to the city. The use of charcoal and stumping gives the work a gritty, almost journalistic quality, fitting with the artist's commitment to social realism. To understand Forain better, research his illustrations for newspapers of the time, noting how frequently they featured the Catholic Church. In approaching this work, we consider the cultural context in which it was made and the institutions that influenced its reception.