Numero un 

Théophile-Alexandre Steinlen created this stark image, titled 'Numero un', depicting a couple seated on a bench, rendered in ink. Observe the woman’s head covering, a motif that appears across cultures and times, signifying mourning, protection, or even religious piety. In medieval depictions of the Madonna, the veil symbolizes purity and sorrow, mirroring the plight of the vulnerable. Here, it speaks to the hardship and destitution of modern urban life. The raw emotional state, etched onto the faces, acts as a 'pathos formula,' engaging viewers on a subconscious level. This image powerfully captures the cyclical nature of suffering—a timeless theme that resurfaces, evolves, and takes on new meanings across historical contexts.