Le Petit Noel de Nanette 

Curator: The warm and gentle composition of this narrative drawing makes it difficult not to like! It's called “Le Petit Noel de Nanette," attributed to Théophile Alexandre Steinlen, crafted using colored pencil. Editor: My first impression? Nostalgic innocence. There's something so charming and slightly melancholic about this little girl's quiet Christmas Eve. It's like peering into a bygone era of childhood. Curator: The panel layout definitely feels like a story unfolding, almost like a comic strip capturing a magical moment in time. Note that while Steinlen is celebrated for his poster art depicting Parisian life, this tender scene diverges quite a bit. What historical insights might that spark for you? Editor: The social context would lead me to wonder: who was Nanette? Was this an illustration for a children's book, maybe capturing the rising sentimentality around children and Christmas as a bourgeois family celebration at the turn of the century? These intimate scenes offer a fascinating contrast to his often politically charged lithographs. The presentation feels deliberately nostalgic, an appeal to innocence in a world undergoing rapid industrial change. Curator: You make an interesting point, but on its technical side, what stands out to me are the muted pastel colors and soft linework which perfectly capture the scene’s childlike wonder. It feels as ephemeral as a half-remembered Christmas memory. What is really delightful, however, are the curious pets trying to get a sniff and a bite of Christmas treat! Editor: The animals definitely animate the scene, adding a touch of earthy humor! Considering the emerging tradition of Christmas imagery, I think it is clever of Steinlen to introduce animals. I do also agree with your remark about Steinlen's muted palette creating this melancholic ambiance! I wonder, was this to capture the sense of longing or to make the Christmas present a subdued but appreciable and attainable joy, as it contrasts starkly to the grandeur or loud portrayals? Curator: This "small Christmas" certainly leaves us much to reflect on. I like to think it’s also a wonderful little ode to quiet moments of love. Editor: Exactly. "Le Petit Noel" ends up highlighting the power of visual stories in constructing societal narratives around childhood. I wonder where this was showcased to be known? Maybe it graced a book or hung in a gallery somewhere… Regardless, its effect remains.