Karikaturale portret- en figuurstudies van mannen 1869 - 1923

This drawing, "Karikaturale portret- en figuurstudies van mannen," was created by Théophile Alexandre Steinlen with pen on paper. The sheet presents a constellation of faces, each rendered with an economy of line. Steinlen's approach emphasizes the structural aspects of the faces, simplifying forms into their most essential components. The strategic use of hatching and contour lines defines the volumes and textures, focusing on the underlying geometry of each caricature. Here, representation is not about imitation; it is about distilling character to its visual essence. The hats and outfits place these studies in a certain social milieu, perhaps hinting at critiques of class or character, but the absence of background focuses our attention on form. Steinlen's caricatures transcend mere likeness. They are semiotic distillations of types, inviting us to consider how these visual shorthands create meaning and embody social commentary.