Woman ink profile 

Théophile Alexandre Steinlen sketched this ink profile of a woman. Steinlen worked in fin-de-siècle Paris, a time when rapid social changes were challenging traditional gender roles. While the artwork is simple, the subject's gaze is cast downwards, which evokes a sense of introspection. In its subtlety, this piece invites us to consider the lived experiences of women during this era, especially within the context of a rapidly modernizing society. The woman's posture and expression could be interpreted as a reflection of the private, emotional lives of women, which were often at odds with their public roles. Steinlen was known for his empathetic depictions of everyday people, and this sketch resonates with that approach. It's a quiet, understated portrait that encapsulates the complexities of female identity at a pivotal moment in history.