Twee mannen in gesprek 1869 - 1923

Théophile Alexandre Steinlen made this drawing, Two Men in Conversation, with crayon and pencil. The marks are quick, and the medium economical; Steinlen was known for his illustrations, and obviously concerned to make an immediate impression on the viewer. The social context is key here. Steinlen was a socialist, and part of a network of artists and writers that engaged in a wide critique of capitalist society. His prints and drawings are frequently concerned with the working class, especially those on the margins. This image seems to engage with the themes of journalism, labor, and class. The drawing is not only a visual depiction, but also a social commentary using modest materials and working methods. Steinlen blurred traditional boundaries between fine art and craft.