Vive Raemaekers 1916

This lithograph, "Vive Raemaekers" was made in Paris in 1916 by Théophile Alexandre Steinlen. It's a study in black and white, a sea of faces brought to life with such simple means. I love the texture Steinlen coaxes out of the lithographic crayon. Look at the way he renders the crowd, a mass of lines that somehow become individual faces, each with their own distinct expression. And the paper! It's not just a surface, but an active participant, peeking through the strokes, creating a sense of depth and atmosphere. Notice the central figure's raised fist, a beacon of defiance amidst the chaos, the emotional heart of the piece. Steinlen reminds me of Kollwitz, in his compassion, and Daumier, in his critical eye. Like them, he wasn't afraid to use his art as a tool for social commentary, a way to give voice to the voiceless. Art is such a powerful act of bearing witness.