Aux Bat-d'Af 

Théophile Alexandre Steinlen created “Aux Bat-d'Af,” a poster print advertising sheet music, during a period of significant social change and artistic innovation in France. Steinlen, deeply moved by the plight of the working class, often depicted the lives of ordinary people in his art. Here, Steinlen illustrates a soldier, possibly returning home, weighed down by his pack and rifle. The poster highlights the emotional and physical burden of military service, a theme relevant given the colonial conflicts and social tensions of the time. Steinlen does not glorify war but portrays the soldier as a common man, weary and burdened. The lyrics and music, by Aristide Bruant, would likely have amplified these sentiments, offering a poignant narrative of working-class experiences and social critique through popular song. Steinlen’s art, often used for commercial purposes, served as a powerful means of conveying socio-political messages, reflecting and shaping public sentiment on issues of identity, class, and the human condition.