Conseil Aux Trottins 

Théophile Alexandre Steinlen created “Conseil Aux Trottins” in the late 19th or early 20th century, capturing a street scene with ink on paper. Steinlen, influenced by his socialist politics, often depicted the lives of working-class Parisians. Here, he presents a slice of Belle Époque Paris, a period of both opulence and stark social divisions. The scene is of two women, likely "trottins," or errand girls, in conversation. Such women occupied a precarious position, often facing exploitation and societal judgment. The older man glancing at them might represent the male gaze and the power dynamics at play. Steinlen doesn’t romanticize their situation but rather offers a glimpse into their world, highlighting the female experience in a rapidly changing urban environment. There’s an emotional undercurrent, a sense of vulnerability. The drawing invites reflection on the era’s social fabric and the lives of these working women, while prompting us to consider the ongoing struggles for equality and dignity.