L'union sous le drapeau

Forain’s approach merges quick, loose brushstrokes for the flag with precise ink lines for the figures. Black crayon adds texture to the clothing, while a thin layer of white opaque watercolor highlights the flag’s fabric, creating a contrast that emphasizes its fluttering form against a lightly toned background.

Although Forain enjoyed considerable popularity during his lifetime—often surpassing many of his Impressionist contemporaries—his reputation has waned in later scholarship. The drawing reflects his continued experimentation with mixed media, a practice that linked his work to both printmaking and drawing traditions.

The work belongs to a period when Forain was documenting contemporary social scenes, frequently infusing his subjects with a satirical edge. The composition’s focus on a collective under a national symbol aligns with the broader cultural climate of early‑20th‑century France, marked by heightened nationalism and public gatherings.