Courageous 1915

"Courageous," a poignant charcoal drawing by Théophile Alexandre Steinlen, depicts a soldier and his beloved. The soldier, dressed in a military uniform, stands stiffly with his hands in his pockets while his woman, draped in a cloak, gazes at him with concern. Created in 1915 amidst the horrors of World War I, the work reflects the anxieties and uncertainties of the time. Steinlen, a renowned artist known for his depictions of Parisian life and social commentary, captured the emotions of wartime separation with profound simplicity. The drawing, now housed at the Art Institute of Chicago, serves as a poignant reminder of the enduring power of love amidst hardship.