Alone at last! 1894

Théophile Alexandre Steinlen's lithograph, Alone at last!, is made with lithographic crayon on paper. The rough, grainy texture of the lithographic crayon lends the image a sense of immediacy. Looking closely, you can see how Steinlen used the material to its full potential: the varying pressure of the crayon creates depth and shadow, particularly noticeable in the man's formal wear. Lithography allowed Steinlen to produce multiple originals, reaching a broad audience, a move away from unique, high-art objects. But, the image gives us pause to think about labor and social commentary. Steinlen’s choice of lithography, a printmaking process suited to mass production, aligns with the era's burgeoning print culture, which made art more accessible. However, it also brings up the labor involved in creating these images, and their potential to reflect on social inequalities and the human condition. The artist leaves us wondering about the emotional labor of the figures depicted.