Forcat Collection

Deportations from Russia to Siberia around 1850. Engraving without author identification
PCT4263398 Deportations from Russia to Siberia around 1850. Engraving without author identification, illustrating a book from the end of the 19th century: " Vie de Mme Postel"

The graces to the bagne. The chains (irons) of the gracies are taken away
PCT4273076 The graces to the bagne. The chains (irons) of the gracies are taken away. Engraving by Eustache-Loray (Eustache Lorsay) 1845.; (add.info.: The graces to the bagne)

L Assiette au Beurre, number 173, Satirique en couleurs, 1904_7_23: Medical, Folie, Repression (lithograph)
ICA4891885 L Assiette au Beurre, number 173, Satirique en couleurs, 1904_7_23: Medical, Folie, Repression (lithograph) by Delannoy, Aristide (1874-1911); (add.info.: L Plate au beurre, number 173)

Exhibition of a forced evade (Evade returned) at the Toulon bagne in the 19th century
XEE4143451 Exhibition of a forced evade (Evade returned) at the Toulon bagne in the 19th century. Engraving in " Histoire des bagnes depuis leur creation a nos jours" (1877)

The biggest torment of the forcate is to be a mismate. Fight between two prisoners connected by the same chain
XEE4143399 The biggest torment of the forcate is to be a mismate. Fight between two prisoners connected by the same chain. Bagne de Rochefort in the 19th century

Bagne de Brest: caning. Engraving in "Histoire des bagnes depuis leur creation a nos jours"(1877)
XEE4143516 Bagne de Brest: caning. Engraving in " Histoire des bagnes depuis leur creation a nos jours" (1877) by Pierre Zaccone (1817-1895) (Colonia Penale - Penal colony)

Pugilat scene at the Toulon Bagne in the 19th century. Engraving in "Histoire des bagnes depuis leur creation a
XEE4143505 Pugilat scene at the Toulon Bagne in the 19th century. Engraving in " Histoire des bagnes depuis leur creation a nos jours" (1877) by Pierre Zaccone (1817-1895)

The boarding of the galerians in the port of Genes Painting by Alessandro Magnasco (1667-1749). Dim. 1. 16 x 1. 42
JLJ4564344 The boarding of the galerians in the port of Genes Painting by Alessandro Magnasco (1667-1749). Dim. 1.16 x 1.42

The boarding of the galerians in the port of Genes Detail. Painting by Alessandro Magnasco (1667-1749). Dim. 1. 16 x 1
JLJ4611979 The boarding of the galerians in the port of Genes Detail. Painting by Alessandro Magnasco (1667-1749). Dim. 1.16 x 1.42

Towards atonement: before they leave for the banana in Guyana
XEE4185657 Towards atonement: before they leave for the banana in Guyana, the forcats are detented in an old fortress on the island of Re. Engraving

The boarding of the forces: the bagnards of the depot of the island of Re left France for
XEE4184839 The boarding of the forces: the bagnards of the depot of the island of Re left France for the banne. They left for Guyana. Of them, two famous criminals: Guy Davin and Doctor Laget

Illustration of Eugene Damblans (1865-1945) in Le Pelerin
ICA4857188 Illustration of Eugene Damblans (1865-1945) in Le Pelerin, 07/05/05 - Some scenes from the life of the bagne - Prisons, Bagnes, Works Forces - Prisoners, Prison Guards by Damblans

The Mexican Revolution (1910-1920): Groups of Prisoners at Force Work - Xylography by
GIA4717000 The Mexican Revolution (1910-1920): Groups of Prisoners at Force Work - Xylography by Jose Guadalupe Posada (1852-1913) by Posada

The chain started at the Toulon Bagne in the 19th century
XEE4143523 The chain started at the Toulon Bagne in the 19th century. Engraving in " Histoire des bagnes depuis leur creation A nos jours" (1877) by Pierre Zaccone (1817-1895)

Infirm forces at the Toulon Bagne in the 19th century. Engraving in "
XEE4143518 Infirm forces at the Toulon Bagne in the 19th century. Engraving in " Histoire des bagnes depuis leur creation A nos jours" (1877) by Pierre Zaccone (1817-1895)

Criminal Phrenology in the Brest Bagne (portraits depicting the physiognomic
XEE4143496 Criminal Phrenology in the Brest Bagne (portraits depicting the physiognomic characteristics of different types of criminals)

Coupling at the Rochefort bagne in the 19th century. Engraving in "
XEE4143466 Coupling at the Rochefort bagne in the 19th century. Engraving in " Histoire des bagnes depuis leur creation A nos jours" (1877) by Pierre Zaccone (1817-1895)

First convoy of forces from Toulon to Cayenne (Guyana) under the Decret of 8 December
XEE4143457 First convoy of forces from Toulon to Cayenne (Guyana) under the Decret of 8 December 1851. Engraving in " Histoire des bagnes depuis leur creation A nos jours" (1877)

Suicide at the Rochefort bagne in 1840. Engraving in "
XEE4143444 Suicide at the Rochefort bagne in 1840. Engraving in " Histoire des bagnes depuis leur creation A nos jours" (1877) by Pierre Zaccone (1817-1895) (Colonia Penale - Penal colony)

The penitencier Saint-Laurent in Cayenne (French Guiana) in the 19th century
XEE4143434 The penitencier Saint-Laurent in Cayenne (French Guiana) in the 19th century. Engraving in " Histoire des bagnes depuis leur creation A nos jours" (1877)

Convictions to perpetuity at the Rochefort Bagne in the 19th century
XEE4143431 Convictions to perpetuity at the Rochefort Bagne in the 19th century. Engraving in " Histoire des bagnes depuis leur creation A nos jours" (1877) by Pierre Zaccone (1817-1895)

Escape from the bagne de Rochefort in the 19th century. Engraving in "
XEE4143417 Escape from the bagne de Rochefort in the 19th century. Engraving in " Histoire des bagnes depuis leur creation A nos jours" (1877) by Pierre Zaccone (1817-1895)

The canteen of the bagne de Rochefort in the 19th century
XEE4143401 The canteen of the bagne de Rochefort in the 19th century. Engraving in " Histoire des bagnes depuis leur creation A nos jours" (1877) by Pierre Zaccone (1817-1895)

Escape from the bagne of Belle-Ile-en-Mer (beautiful island at sea) in the 19th century
XEE4143387 Escape from the bagne of Belle-Ile-en-Mer (beautiful island at sea) in the 19th century. Engraving in " Histoire des bagnes depuis leur creation A nos jours" (1877)

Forcats selling their belongings before entering the Toulon Bagne in the 19th century
XEE4143382 Forcats selling their belongings before entering the Toulon Bagne in the 19th century. Engraving in " Histoire des bagnes depuis leur creation A nos jours" (1877)

A Saint Martin de Re: boarding of forces for Guiana - in "
LSE4100185 A Saint Martin de Re: boarding of forces for Guiana - in " Le Peute Parisien", 1903 by French School

The Mexican Revolution (1910-1920): story of hard work by one of the workers in the Valle
GIA4717044 The Mexican Revolution (1910-1920): story of hard work by one of the workers in the Valle Nacional, circa 1908 - Xylography by Jose Guadalupe Posada (1852-1913) by Posada

Floating penitenciers of French Guiana, a colony devolved to the captivity of those who
LSE4325800 Floating penitenciers of French Guiana, a colony devolved to the captivity of those who took over the courts and the men who had to stay

Strength work: English prisoners working in a stone quarry
XEE4164580 Strength work: English prisoners working in a stone quarry. Portland Prison, England, 1863. Engraving in " Le Monde Illustre" nA'339 of October 10, 1863

A working force at the Brest Bagne in the 19th century. Engraving in "
XEE4143507 A working force at the Brest Bagne in the 19th century. Engraving in " Histoire des bagnes depuis leur creation A nos jours" (1877) by Pierre Zaccone (1817-1895)

Attempted escape from the Toulon Bagne in the 19th century
XEE4143455 Attempted escape from the Toulon Bagne in the 19th century. Engraving in " Histoire des bagnes depuis leur creation A nos jours" (1877) by Pierre Zaccone (1817-1895)

Forcats in march at the bagne de Rochefort in the 19th century
XEE4143422 Forcats in march at the bagne de Rochefort in the 19th century. Engraving in " Histoire des bagnes depuis leur creation A nos jours" (1877) by Pierre Zaccone (1817-1895)

The hospital of the Bagne de Rochefort in the 19th century
XEE4143419 The hospital of the Bagne de Rochefort in the 19th century. Engraving in " Histoire des bagnes depuis leur creation A nos jours" (1877) by Pierre Zaccone (1817-1895)

The bagne of Rochefort in the 19th century. Engraving in "
XEE4143412 The bagne of Rochefort in the 19th century. Engraving in " Histoire des bagnes depuis leur creation A nos jours" (1877) by Pierre Zaccone (1817-1895)

Attempted escape at the Fort of Belle-Ile-en-Mer (beautiful island at sea
XEE4143390 Attempted escape at the Fort of Belle-Ile-en-Mer (beautiful island at sea) in the 19th century. Engraving in " Histoire des bagnes depuis leur creation A nos jours" (1877)

Harvesting forces at the bagne of Belle-Ile-en-Mer (beautiful island at sea
XEE4143389 Harvesting forces at the bagne of Belle-Ile-en-Mer (beautiful island at sea) in the 19th century. Engraving in " Histoire des bagnes depuis leur creation A nos jours" (1877)

Title page of the book "Histoire des bagnes depuis leur creation till nos
XEE4143521 Title page of the book " Histoire des bagnes depuis leur creation till nos jours" (1877) by Pierre Zaccone (1817-1895)

Clothing and irons received by a force arriving at the bagne de Rochefort in the 19th
XEE4143485 Clothing and irons received by a force arriving at the bagne de Rochefort in the 19th century (from the original drawing of Clemans, forcat du bagne in 1840)

The transfer to the Toulon Bagne in the 19th century. Engraving in "
XEE4143462 The transfer to the Toulon Bagne in the 19th century. Engraving in " Histoire des bagnes depuis leur creation A nos jours" (1877) by Pierre Zaccone (1817-1895)

Forcats going to work at the penitencier Saint-Laurent (Saint-Laurent
XEE4143445 Forcats going to work at the penitencier Saint-Laurent (Saint-Laurent) in Cayenne (French Guiana) in the 19th century

Belle-Ile-en-Mer (beautiful island at sea) in the 19th century
XEE4143394 Belle-Ile-en-Mer (beautiful island at sea) in the 19th century. Engraving in " Histoire des bagnes depuis leur creation A nos jours" (1877) by Pierre Zaccone (1817-1895)

Military condemned to the bagne of Toulon in the 19th century
XEE4143511 Military condemned to the bagne of Toulon in the 19th century. Engraving in " Histoire des bagnes depuis leur creation A nos jours" (1877) by Pierre Zaccone (1817-1895)

A wedding at the Rochefort bagne in the 19th century. Engraving in "
XEE4143473 A wedding at the Rochefort bagne in the 19th century. Engraving in " Histoire des bagnes depuis leur creation A nos jours" (1877) by Pierre Zaccone (1817-1895)

Forcats bucherons at the Toulon Bagne in the 19th century
XEE4143439 Forcats bucherons at the Toulon Bagne in the 19th century. Engraving in " Histoire des bagnes depuis leur creation A nos jours" (1877) by Pierre Zaccone (1817-1895)

The viatica at the Toulon bagne in the 19th century. Engraving in "
XEE4143377 The viatica at the Toulon bagne in the 19th century. Engraving in " Histoire des bagnes depuis leur creation A nos jours" (1877) by Pierre Zaccone (1817-1895)

Illustration for Le Paravoleur ou L Art de se Conduire prudemment en Tout Pays
CHT285254 Illustration for Le Paravoleur ou L Art de se Conduire prudemment en Tout Pays, Notamment a Paris by Eugene Francois Vidocq, 1830 (colour litho) by French School

The Ferration of Forcats to Bicetre Painting of the French School. 1791. Sun
JLJ4591437 The Ferration of Forcats to Bicetre Painting of the French School. 1791. Sun. 0, 48x0, 35 m Paris, Musee de l Assistance publique by French School

Several forcats, evades from the bagne in Guyana, found themselves in the middle of
XEE4187944 Several forcats, evades from the bagne in Guyana, found themselves in the middle of the jungle victims of crocodiles, crustaceans

For sale as Licensed Images

Choose your image, Select your licence and Download the media

"Forcat: A Glimpse into the Dark World of Penal Colonies and Forced Labor" Step back in time as we explore the haunting history of "forcat, " a term that encapsulates the grueling existence endured by prisoners in penal colonies. Through various artworks and engravings, we catch a glimpse of their torment and struggle for survival. In Joseph Bordelet's chilling engraving titled "Execution at Brests bagne, " we witness the brutal reality faced by these individuals. The image portrays an execution, reminding us of the ultimate price paid within these walls. Alessandro Magnasco's painting, "Arrivee des galeriens a la prison de Genes, " transports us to 18th-century Genoa, where prisoners are ushered into their new home. The sheer scale of this artwork emphasizes the magnitude of suffering experienced within those imposing walls. The satirical lithograph from L'Assiette au Beurre sheds light on another aspect of life in penal colonies - medical treatment, madness, and repression. This thought-provoking piece forces us to confront the harsh realities faced by inmates who were often subjected to inadequate healthcare or cruel punishment. Pierre Zaccone's engravings offer further insight into daily life behind bars. In one scene titled "Exhibition of a forced evade at Toulon bagne, " we witness an attempted escape foiled by relentless guards. The desperation felt by these prisoners is palpable as they face severe consequences for daring to dream freedom. Another engraving captures a harrowing fight between two prisoners connected by chains - an agonizing reminder that even camaraderie can turn sour under such extreme conditions. Zaccone also documents scenes from Bagne de Brest where caning was used as punishment. These images serve as stark reminders of both physical pain and psychological degradation inflicted upon inmates. Moving away from illustrations, Alessandro Magnasco's paintings depict moments of boarding galerians in the port of Genoa.