Man met grote snor kijkt vrouw na Possibly 1898 - 1899

Editor: Here we have "Man met grote snor kijkt vrouw na," or "Man with large mustache looking after a woman" by Théophile Alexandre Steinlen, likely from 1898 or 1899. It’s a lithograph print, giving it that slightly faded, newspaper-y feel. The gazes really grab me here, a mix of admiration and maybe a touch of something darker. What do you see in this piece? Curator: Oh, my dear, you’ve nailed that newspaper quality! Steinlen had a knack for capturing fleeting moments of modern life, those back alley glimpses, the sort of stolen glances that defined Parisian street life at the time. It's as if we're peering into the world of a Balzac novel, full of human comedy and complex motives. What’s going on, do you think, in that unspoken moment? Editor: I get this sense that the woman is almost unaware, caught in her own world, while the man is completely absorbed by her. There is definitely tension between these figures. Curator: Absolutely. Steinlen’s impressionistic approach blurs the details just enough to pique our curiosity, don’t you think? The fleeting encounter… it reminds us how charged even a brief connection can be. This is impressionism's gift. Did you happen to notice which paper this print was published for? Editor: Was that Gil Blas? Curator: Indeed! Editor: Seeing the cultural context helps me better understand what Steinlen was trying to portray. Curator: I agree; it really transforms how we experience the piece. It leaves one pondering the hidden narratives in everyday encounters. Thanks for sharing your insights.