A Soldier for Pétain 1915 - 1917

Théophile Alexandre Steinlen made this lithograph, A Soldier for Pétain, at an unknown date with lithographic crayon on paper. It’s all about the marks in this one, that frantic energy that you get from quick, repeated lines. It’s like the artist is trying to capture a fleeting moment, and the marks themselves become part of the story. The texture in this print is amazing. The way the lithographic crayon grabs onto the paper gives it this rough, almost tactile quality. You can almost feel the weight of the soldier’s burden, both physically and emotionally. Look at the hatching on the soldier's coat and helmet and the woman's dress; it’s not just about shading, it’s about creating a sense of depth and volume. Notice how the artist captures the child's face with just a few simple lines. It reminds me of Käthe Kollwitz and her powerful depictions of grief and resilience, where the medium itself becomes a vehicle for expressing raw emotion. Art's always in conversation, right?