Le Lys Rouge 

Théophile Alexandre Steinlen sketched ‘Le Lys Rouge’ using graphite. The initial impression is one of gentle mockery, achieved through the artist's deliberate simplification of form and the almost caricatured figure. Consider how Steinlen uses line to delineate form. The thin, wiry lines construct not just the figure but also a sense of movement. See how the lines create texture, particularly in the man's jacket and the surrounding foliage. The composition is divided into distinct planes: the foreground with the lilies, the figure in the middle ground, and the sketched building in the background. This layering adds depth but also compartmentalizes the scene, hinting at a separation between the classes, a theme often explored in Steinlen’s work. The 'Red Lily' is a symbol steeped in historical and political connotations, often associated with royalty and aristocracy. In choosing this title and depicting a figure that appears both elegant and somewhat foolish, Steinlen invites us to question fixed meanings. This artwork embodies a tension between reverence and critique.