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Prodigal Son 


While Forain is completely himself the inheritance from Rembrandt is obvious. The Rembrandt etchings had a strong influence in the 19th century & Forain & Legros were two who were influenced both in the humanitarian viewpoint & the style. [The English etchers were influenced mainly by the Rembrandt landscapes. All too often the mere shell of the picturesque in both humans & landscapes has been the reward of the imitators. 

This is obviously not true of Forain but in turn Forain's sketchiness has inspired a succession of empty linearvtricks.] 

There was something of the journalist in Forain. He knew good copy. He caught the drama of the incident; the pitiable scenes in court, the humanity of the Bible again brought into the contemporary scene, the miracles at Lourdes & the tragedy of war. Morality & philosophy were by implication.