Jean-Louis Forain(1852-1931): Maison Close (c.1880)

Forain produced a series of etchings to illustrate 'Croquis Parisiens' for his friend J.K.Huysmans.This scene shows a working class man consorting with a couple of prostitutes in a brothel.The plate was rejected by the publisher and excluded from the book. The composition mirrors that of 'Absinthe' (1875-76) by Degas. Forain's friendship with the older artist had a profound effect on his art - "Everything I am..I owe to him" he once said. Degas admired Forain's incisive draughtsmanship and caustic sense of humour - qualities evident in this superb etching.

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