En Partance - Preliminary drawing 

Théophile Alexandre Steinlen made this preliminary drawing, En Partance, with graphite and crayon on paper. It's easy to overlook drawings as quick, preparatory exercises, yet they are crucial to understanding an artist's process. Here, Steinlen uses the immediacy of crayon to capture a young woman, likely a worker, ready to depart, perhaps for work. The rough texture of the crayon gives a sense of the fleeting moment, of something captured on the go. Notice how the lines are not precise, but rather suggestive, allowing us to fill in the details. The woman's clothes and umbrella are rendered with broad strokes, emphasizing their weight and volume. The social context here is palpable; Steinlen was known for his depictions of working-class life in Paris. The quick, gestural marks of the crayon reflect the urgency and energy of modern urban life. By focusing on this everyday scene, Steinlen elevates the lives of ordinary people. He also validates drawing as an art form in its own right, not just a prelude to a more finished painting.