Elle a beacoup aime 

Théophile Alexandre Steinlen made this drawing, "Elle a beaucoup aimé," using crayons and charcoal to create a snapshot of a courtroom scene. The rough, immediate quality of the drawing reflects the speed and spontaneity of the artist’s hand. The grainy texture of the charcoal lends itself well to the sombre mood, capturing the weight of the legal proceedings. Notice how Steinlen uses broad strokes to define the figures, giving them volume and presence. The choice of crayons and charcoal is significant here. These are not the materials of high academic art but are instead more aligned with the world of illustration and printmaking, processes intimately tied to social commentary and the burgeoning mass media of the time. The drawing hints at the labor involved in representation, and the social realities being portrayed. Ultimately, Steinlen’s choice of media connects “Elle a beaucoup aimé” to broader issues of labor, class, and representation, challenging conventional notions of art.