Een passerende vrouw 1897

Théophile Alexandre Steinlen created this drawing titled "Een passerende vrouw," or "A Passing Woman," using crayon and black chalk. The work presents a fleeting glimpse of a woman in motion. Note the textural interplay between the soft, diffused strokes that define her figure and the stark, blank space of the paper. This contrast heightens the sense of transience, as if the woman is caught in a momentary pause before continuing on her way. Steinlen uses the semiotic system of signs to build meaning within the context of Parisian life. The figure's clothing and posture suggest an urban environment, hinting at the social dynamics and anonymity of modern city life. The marks of the crayon and chalk are not just representational; they act as indices of the artist's hand. The very form of the drawing embodies the ephemerality of modern experience. It encapsulates a sense of impermanence, reflecting how modern life challenges fixed meanings and established values.