The Apprentice 1898

Théophile Alexandre Steinlen created this print, titled 'The Apprentice', using etching techniques. Steinlen was a Swiss-born French artist who often depicted working-class subjects in his art, reflecting his socialist and humanist beliefs. Here, the young woman, possibly a seamstress or a shop assistant, looks out at us with a seriousness that is characteristic of the artist's dedication to portraying the dignity of the working class. Made in France, a country undergoing rapid industrialization and social change at the time, the print would have been shown in galleries or magazines. Steinlen used his art to comment on the social structures of his time. His work often appeared in publications with progressive politics. To understand Steinlen's art more fully, we can look to period newspapers, union publications, and records from art institutions. By examining these sources, we can gain insights into the cultural values that shaped his work and the ways in which it challenged conventional ideas about class, labor, and the role of art in society.