Two elegant women 

Curator: Editor: Here we have Steinlen's pencil drawing "Two Elegant Women." The sketchiness gives it an ephemeral quality. I’m curious about its focus on women in public spaces. What do you see in this piece that speaks to you? Curator: Well, seeing these women situated within a rapidly changing urban landscape, I'm immediately drawn to how their very presence challenges established gender roles. Paris at the time was witnessing an influx of women claiming their space in the public sphere. How do you think their clothing, their ‘elegance’ as the title suggests, factors into this claim? Editor: That's interesting. It’s almost as if their fashionable attire is both a symbol of their status and a sort of protective armor. The woman facing us, in particular, seems self-assured. Do you think there is something subversive in simply depicting them existing and being seen? Curator: Absolutely. Steinlen, known for his social commentary, captures a pivotal moment of burgeoning female independence. Their gaze, their posture...they're not passive objects. What do you make of the fact that the background feels more populated by masculine figures and less defined compared to the elegant figures? Editor: It makes the women feel more striking, even defiant. By giving them focus and presence through visual means, the artist underscores their significance in a world undergoing massive shifts in power dynamics. Curator: Exactly! By emphasizing these figures against a sketchy backdrop, Steinlen emphasizes their place within the avant-garde, pushing the boundaries of feminine expression in public life. I never considered the spatial dynamic to speak in that way! Thank you! Editor: Likewise, seeing this work through a lens of social commentary and gender studies enriches its meaning significantly.