Aubade Rouge 

Théophile Alexandre Steinlen made this moving lithograph, Aubade Rouge. The marks left by the lithographic crayon are crucial here. Notice how Steinlen uses quick, nervous strokes to create a sense of anxiety and tension. It is a direct method suited to the urgency of political commentary and a rapidly changing urban landscape. The medium allowed for mass production, making it ideal for disseminating social critique to a broad audience. The subject matter depicts the execution of a prisoner, escorted by guards and watched by a crowd. There is also something unsettling about the figures, their faces obscured, which lends a chilling anonymity to the event. This evokes the brutal realities of social injustice and the stark contrast between the powerful and the powerless. By understanding the process, we can appreciate how Steinlen used the medium of lithography to create a work that is both technically impressive and socially relevant. It prompts us to consider the role of art in addressing critical issues of labor, class, and political oppression, bridging the gap between fine art and craft.