La mort des pauvres-Baudelaire 1894

Théophile Alexandre Steinlen created "La mort des pauvres-Baudelaire", a drawing that encapsulates the grim realities faced by the impoverished in late 19th and early 20th century France. Steinlen, deeply moved by social inequalities, used his art to highlight the struggles of the working class. This drawing visualizes a poem by Baudelaire that explores death as a form of solace for the poor. Steinlen captures the desperation and suffering endured by those living in poverty. We see the figure of death represented by a nun, an ironic twist on traditional notions of religious comfort, reaching out to a family in distress. The drawing starkly portrays how poverty can strip individuals of their dignity and humanity. The family’s emaciated figures, reaching hands, and the somber color palette evoke a sense of hopelessness. The imagery conveys a powerful message about the neglect and marginalization of the poor, prompting viewers to reflect on the social injustices of the time. Steinlen’s drawing is a poignant reminder of the human cost of inequality, and the desperate search for respite amidst hardship.