Midinettes 

Théophile Alexandre Steinlen created "Midinettes" using a delicate yet assertive application of graphite. The drawing immediately evokes a sense of understated elegance and quiet observation. Steinlen's composition subtly guides the viewer's eye through a semiotic interplay of glances and gestures. Note the gazes of the figures, which intersect to create implied relationships and narrative possibilities. The soft hatching technique provides depth while maintaining a flattened perspective that enhances the artwork's graphic quality. The somber palette emphasizes the mundane aspects of urban life, eschewing dramatic color contrasts for nuanced tonal shifts that highlight form and texture. This piece destabilizes traditional portraiture by focusing less on individual identity and more on the collective experience of working-class women in Parisian society. Steinlen's emphasis on line and form allows the work to function as a study in social dynamics, prompting contemplation on the broader structures of representation and identity within urban environments.