Soir d'Ete 

This is a drawing by Théophile Alexandre Steinlen, likely made with charcoal and watercolor on paper. At its heart we see a couple embracing, a timeless motif found across cultures. The act of embracing is more than physical contact; it represents protection, love, and unity. We see echoes of this gesture in ancient Roman sarcophagi, where couples are depicted in eternal embrace, symbolizing everlasting love beyond death. Consider, too, the countless Renaissance paintings where a mother embraces her child. This image is a palimpsest of human emotion—a testament to our shared need for connection and comfort. Note the woman with a basket, weighted down by a need to be provided for, or to provide for others. The basket is a symbol of the labor she has performed, and the labor she has yet to perform, perhaps a symbol of carrying the burdens of her family. These burdens of love, toil and human connection speak to us all.