Rehabilitation Civile et Execution Militaire 

Théophile Alexandre Steinlen created this stark lithograph, "Rehabilitation Civile et Execution Militaire," depicting a scene rife with the tensions of civic duty and military power. Steinlen was a social realist, and deeply invested in the political turmoil of his time. Here, we see a civilian standing to the side, almost as if he is awaiting execution. In the background, a military official salutes, possibly signaling the end of one's life and the restoration of another's honor. The grainy texture enhances the emotional weight of the piece. Steinlen invites us to reflect on the human cost of political ideologies. This work highlights the intersection of justice and power, questioning whose lives are valued and whose are expendable. It asks us to consider the psychological impact of state-sanctioned violence and the complex relationship between the individual and the military machine.