Pour Les Amoureux et Pour Les Oiseaux 1895

Théophile Alexandre Steinlen made this lithograph titled "Pour Les Amoureux et Pour Les Oiseaux". The lithographic process allowed Steinlen to create nuanced tonal variations, which add depth and atmosphere to the image. Notice how the strokes of the lithographic crayon build up the figures. The subtle variations in pressure and direction of the crayon create textures that evoke the feeling of fabric, skin, and the rough surfaces of the urban environment. Lithography, as a printmaking process, allowed for relatively quick reproduction, making images accessible to a wider audience, and tying them directly to mass media, labor, and the social context of the era. The choice of lithography is significant, situating the work within a broader history of creative practices that intersect with both fine art and the graphic arts, used for newspapers and printed ephemera. In this way, Steinlen challenges traditional distinctions between high art and popular culture.