March 18 1894

Théophile Alexandre Steinlen created the lithograph, "March 18," capturing a moment of social upheaval. The figures brandish tools—scythes and hammers—transformed from instruments of labor into symbols of revolt. These are powerful emblems. The scythe, traditionally associated with death and the Grim Reaper, here signifies the cutting down of the old order. Similarly, the hammer, a tool of creation, becomes a symbol of revolutionary force, forging a new reality. The bare-breasted woman at the front reminds one of Liberty Leading the People by Delacroix, or even ancient goddesses, freedom and resistance are intertwined. Observe how these symbols reappear throughout history, evolving yet retaining their primal power. From ancient agrarian revolts to modern socialist movements, the image of the worker with a tool embodies a yearning for liberation. This yearning, deeply embedded in the collective psyche, surfaces time and again, driving humanity's relentless pursuit of justice and equality.