Scene de Bal 

Théophile Alexandre Steinlen created this ink wash drawing entitled 'Scene de Bal'. The composition features an interplay of stark blacks, soft grays, and the white of the paper, immediately drawing the eye to the contrasting figures. Note how Steinlen uses minimal strokes to convey a complex scene. The composition invites us to consider relationships, both those of physical proximity and those of emotional distance. The dancing couple, rendered with curving lines, is juxtaposed against the angular table and the seated man who leans on it. Meanwhile, the standing woman is rigidly postured with arms akimbo. The artist destabilizes established meanings of the term 'Ball' as the visual structure reveals a narrative beyond mere dance. This drawing becomes a semiotic stage where each character embodies a different aspect of human experience, and calls into question the conventional interpretation of social gatherings.