Artwork
A Man on a City Street, Surrounded by Children (Un Père)
A Man on a City Street, Surrounded by Children (Un Père) is a crayon drawing by the Impressionist artist Théophile Alexandre Steinlen. It dates from 1891 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
- Inscription
- Inscribed:by artist, lower right in pen and black ink: Steinlen; by artist, lower left in blue colored pencil: 6 - p. 139 un père.....; by artist, lower left in blue-colored pencil (erased): [Not deciphered]; by later hand, lower center in graphite: suff [?]; by later hand, lower right in graphite: 440[?]; by later hand, upper left verso in graphite: 17 (in circle)
About this work
Overview
A Man on a City Street, Surrounded by Children (Un Père) is a 1891 drawing by Théophile Alexandre Steinlen, executed in black and blue crayon on wove paper. The piece captures a urban scene focusing on a man encircled by children.
Subject & Meaning
The drawing portrays a everyday street scene where a man is surrounded by children, highlighting Steinlen's focus on social themes prevalent in late 19th-century urban life, particularly labor and everyday struggles.
Technique & Style
Steinlen utilized black and blue crayons on wove paper to create the work, characteristic of his Art Nouveau style with simple yet expressive lines, though the specific stylistic innovations in this piece are not distinctly elaborated upon in available sources.
History & Provenance
Created in 1891, the drawing aligns with Steinlen's period of engagement with anarchist and socialist publications, though specific details regarding its initial exhibition, ownership history, or commission context are not provided.
Context
The work reflects Steinlen's broader artistic themes addressing urban life and labor issues, consistent with his political activism and collaborations with left-wing media outlets during the late 19th century.
Legacy
While the drawing exemplifies Steinlen's socially conscious artwork, its individual impact or recognition within his broader oeuvre or the Art Nouveau movement is not specified in the provided information.
Own this work as a print
Artist & collection
Artist
Théophile Alexandre Steinlen (November 10, 1859 – December 13, 1923), was a Swiss-born French Art Nouveau painter and printmaker. He was politically engaged and collaborated with the anarchist and socialist press.
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