L'Art a L'Ecole 1912

Théophile Alexandre Steinlen made "L'Art a L'Ecole" with what looks like colored chalk or crayon on paper, and it’s just charming! I can almost feel Steinlen carefully choosing each color, layering the strokes to build up depth and texture. The lines are delicate, yet they capture the essence of each child's expression. Just look at the small child being carried. What might they be thinking? Are they impatient to join the group? The artist must have looked with such warmth at these youngsters. This work reminds me of other figurative artists like Toulouse-Lautrec, also capturing everyday life with a keen eye and a sympathetic touch. What might these children be thinking? We can only guess, but Steinlen’s work invites us to imagine their stories, and maybe even remember our own childhood adventures. These artists were all in conversation, influencing and inspiring each other to see the world in new ways.