Le Secours National 1915

"Le Secours National" (1915) by Théophile Alexandre Steinlen is a powerful black and white lithograph depicting a group of women and children huddled together in a moment of desperate need. The central figure, a woman with an eye-catching headdress, reaches out with a compassionate gesture towards the group. The piece uses stark contrasts and dramatic lighting to emphasize the plight of those in need, and exemplifies the artist's signature style of social realism. Steinlen, a prominent figure in the Art Nouveau movement, used his art to comment on social issues, and this piece is a testament to his commitment to highlighting the struggles of the underprivileged.