Soldat en kepi portant un enfant 1916

Théophile Alexandre Steinlen made this sketch, titled 'Soldat en kepi portant un enfant', in graphite on paper. The composition is dominated by three studies of a soldier and child; the overall impression is one of intimacy and tenderness. The sketch presents us with a study in contrasts: the soldier's large, angular form and severe attire is set against the soft, rounded form of the child. The first form is constructed of firmly drawn graphite lines that provide solidity. The graphite lines used to portray the child are lighter and more suggestive, providing the effect of softness and vulnerability. This juxtaposition destabilizes the traditional image of the soldier, challenging the idea of masculinity solely as an embodiment of strength and authority. Instead, Steinlen hints at the soldier's capacity for care and protection, offering a profound commentary on humanity. This challenges the very notion of fixed roles and categories, inviting ongoing re-interpretation.