Chemineau Sous La Pluie 1902

Théophile Alexandre Steinlen likely produced this print of a vagabond in the rain in France, sometime in the late 19th or early 20th century. It’s a poignant image, capturing the bleakness of poverty amidst the backdrop of urban life. Steinlen was deeply engaged with the social realities of his time. As an artist associated with the bohemian cabaret Le Chat Noir, he often depicted the lives of the working class and marginalized individuals. Here, the rain becomes a metaphor for the harsh conditions they faced, reflecting the rapid industrialization and urbanization of France during that period. The figure, hunched and struggling against the elements, embodies the vulnerability of those left behind by progress. Prints like this one were often circulated in periodicals, offering a form of social commentary accessible to a wide audience. To fully understand Steinlen's work, we can consult sources of the period like newspapers, pamphlets, and government reports on poverty and social conditions. These resources help us understand the artist's own views within the broader cultural and institutional context of the time.