Les Petiots c. 1893

"Les Petiots" is a lithograph created by Théophile Alexandre Steinlen circa 1893. It depicts a group of children standing on a street corner in a Parisian neighborhood, their figures drawn with an expressive simplicity characteristic of Steinlen's style. The piece is a poignant depiction of working-class life in late 19th-century France, highlighting the innocence and resilience of children amidst the hardships of poverty. The Art Institute of Chicago, the current home of this lithograph, houses a collection of over 200 works by Steinlen, offering a comprehensive look at the artist's career.