La Victoire en chantant 

Editor: This drawing, titled "La Victoire en chantant" by Théophile Alexandre Steinlen, appears to be created with ink, graphite and possibly light pencil work. There is an urgency to this sketch with soldiers advancing while a winged figure leads the way. How do you interpret this work? Curator: It strikes me as a powerful encapsulation of conflicting emotions inherent in times of war: hope and fear, celebration and grim reality. The winged figure, reminiscent of classical depictions of Victory, holds a symbolic wreath, an emblem of triumph. Notice how her presence energizes the soldiers. But the use of graphite and ink—quick, gestural strokes—also creates a sense of unease. The sketchwork mirrors the instability and emotional turmoil. Does it feel triumphalist to you, or something more complex? Editor: More complex definitely. The sketch-like quality tempers any straightforward glorification, making it feel like a fragile, perhaps even fleeting, moment of hope. The title "La Victoire en chantant"—Victory in singing— feels almost sarcastic given the soldiers' grim expressions. Curator: Exactly! Consider how symbols can shift meaning based on context. Victory, typically portrayed as absolute, is here mediated through the filter of wartime anxiety. The artist uses traditional allegorical language but disrupts it with modern sensibilities, the loose, almost anxious, drawing style reflecting the precariousness of the situation. Are you familiar with Steinlen’s other works? He had a penchant for cats... Editor: I wasn't aware! So he moves beyond cats into powerful historical allegories. I see how the dynamism in the drawing underscores how multifaceted “victory” can be. Thanks for sharing that lens. Curator: Absolutely. And next time, perhaps we should compare depictions of cats! It is fascinating how one artist weaves recurring imagery and explores profound human experiences across subjects.