Retour au Foyer c. 1918

"Retour au Foyer" (c. 1918) by Théophile Alexandre Steinlen is a poignant black and white lithograph depicting a family of refugees returning home after the horrors of war. The image showcases a group of figures huddled together, their faces etched with fatigue and hardship. The central figure, a soldier with a weathered face, stands at the center, his arm resting on the shoulder of a young woman wrapped in a red shawl, symbolizing the weight of war. The backdrop of a sun-drenched field, a stark contrast to the somber tone of the figures, suggests hope for a better future despite the devastation they have endured. The artwork is a powerful testament to the human cost of war, capturing the essence of loss and resilience in a simple yet evocative composition.