Sketches for ‘Lovers on a Bench’ 

These are Théophile Alexandre Steinlen's sketches for ‘Lovers on a Bench’, created with graphite on paper. The immediacy of the graphite allows Steinlen to capture fleeting moments and gestures with remarkable sensitivity, and the various faces and figures that emerge feel authentic and alive. The deliberate choice of graphite emphasizes the process of creation itself, reminding us that art is not just about the final product, but also about the journey of exploration and discovery. Steinlen uses these traditional materials to depict scenes of everyday life, blurring the lines between high art and the mundane. The sketches are tied to wider social issues of labor and class, with the depiction of ordinary people engaged in acts of leisure and affection. Ultimately, the significance of these sketches lies not only in their aesthetic appeal but also in their ability to connect us to the artist's process, and to the social context in which they were created.