Milch Cow n.d.

Théophile Alexandre Steinlen created this print, ‘Milch Cow’, using lithography. Steinlen was deeply engaged with the social and political issues of his time in France. The print depicts a man hauling goods while, in the background, a cow is surrounded by onlookers, suggesting a market scene. The stark contrast between the working man and the bourgeois figures highlights the economic disparities of the era. Steinlen was known for his sympathies towards the working class, and we see that reflected here. Consider how Steinlen uses the composition to draw attention to the laboring figure, while the potential sale of the cow takes place in the background. This print invites us to reflect on the lives of those who sustain society, yet remain on the margins. The image evokes questions about value, labor, and social visibility.