Artwork
Lourdes, transport des paralysées (Lourdes, Transport of the Paralyzed)
Lourdes, transport des paralysées (Lourdes, Transport of the Paralyzed) is an ink print by Jean-Louis Forain. It dates from 1912 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1912, Jean-Louis Forain’s print titled *Lourdes, transport des paralysées* captures a bustling moment at the pilgrimage site of Lourdes. Executed on Van Gelder laid paper, the work combines etching and dry‑point to depict a crowd moving in varied directions, suggesting the hurried assistance of the sick and their caretakers.
Subject & Meaning
The composition focuses on the transport of individuals afflicted with paralysis, a frequent occurrence among pilgrims seeking the reputed healing waters of Lourdes. By portraying figures in motion—some carrying children, others kneeling in prayer—Forain underscores the intertwining of physical suffering and religious devotion that characterized early‑twentieth‑century pilgrimages.
Technique & Style
Forain employed both etching and dry‑point, allowing him to juxtapose fine, incised lines with broader, more spontaneous strokes. The resulting texture is deliberately uneven, giving the scene a sketch‑like immediacy. This loose handling of line conveys a sense of urgency and vitality, echoing the fleeting nature of the moment captured.
History & Provenance
The print belongs to Forain’s broader body of work that explores contemporary social issues through printmaking.
The print belongs to Forain’s broader body of work that explores contemporary social issues through printmaking. Produced during his mature period, it reflects his ongoing interest in documenting public life. The piece has remained in private collections and has appeared in several exhibitions of early twentieth‑century French prints, illustrating its continued relevance to studies of religious and social imagery.
Artist & collection
Artist
Jean-Louis Forain (French pronunciation: ; 23 October 1852 – 11 July 1931) was a French Impressionist painter and printmaker, working in media including oils, watercolour, pastel, etching and lithograph.
Lourdes, la miraculée (2e planche) (Lourdes, the Miracle) (second plate)
Le Christ dépouillé de ses vêtements (Christ Stripped of His Clothes)
Le miraculé devant l'ostensoir (4e planche) (The Miracle before the Blessed Sacrament) (fourth plate)
The Miracle before the Blessed Sacrament (fourth plate)
Le Christ dépouillé de ses vêtements (Christ Stripped of His Clothes)
Fille-mère (1ère planche) (Unwed Mother) (first plate)
Le calvaire (2e planche) (Calvary) (second plate)