Exode - en longeur 1915

Editor: This is “Exode - en longeur” by Théophile Alexandre Steinlen, created in 1915. It appears to be done in pen and ink, depicting a group of people on the move. The overwhelming feeling I get is one of somber desperation. What historical context informs this drawing? Curator: Indeed. Looking at this work, I see more than just desperation. It screams of displacement during wartime, specifically World War I. 1915 was a time of intense upheaval across Europe. Consider the title, “Exode.” Steinlen is directly referencing a mass departure, a concept heavy with historical implications. Editor: So, this isn't just a snapshot of a crowd, but a comment on the war’s impact on civilians? Curator: Precisely. The drawing's social commentary becomes amplified when you look at the date it was created. France, along with other European nations, experienced massive population movements. Looking closely, do you notice anything about who is represented and how? Editor: Yes, there are a lot of women, children, and what looks like elderly folks; and most appear burdened, carrying their belongings. Are they refugees? Curator: Most likely. By emphasizing these marginalized figures, Steinlen offers a poignant perspective on the war. The ‘politics of imagery’ is crucial here, showing us who disproportionately suffers in conflict. This moves the art beyond its aesthetic merit into a sphere of social critique. Is that clear? Editor: Definitely. I see it now. I was stuck on the lines and form, but now the historical context paints a much clearer picture. Curator: Understanding the sociopolitical climate shifts our interpretation of this art. We see art serving not only aesthetic but a very important civic function. It forces the viewer to engage with historical injustices. Editor: Wow. I'll never see a pen-and-ink sketch the same way again! Thanks!