La Saisie 

Théophile Alexandre Steinlen sketched "La Saisie" offering us a glimpse into the fin-de-siècle Parisian life. Steinlen, deeply concerned with social issues, positions us amidst a crowd, perhaps during a demonstration or a public event, capturing the atmosphere of urban life. The sketch's focus on women in the foreground invites us to consider their role in the public sphere. Are they participants, observers, or perhaps victims of the societal forces at play? The ambiguity in their expressions and actions allows for multiple interpretations. Steinlen often used his art to depict the struggles and resilience of the working class, and here, he continues this trend by highlighting the presence and perhaps the plight, of women in a rapidly changing society. As we reflect on the sketch, let’s consider how Steinlen uses the urban crowd to reflect the social and political tensions of his time, and to think about the place of women within this context.