The Foundling c. 1910

Curator: Steinlen's drawing from around 1910, called "The Foundling," depicts exactly that – a baby left alone. The medium is straightforward, just pencil on paper. What are your immediate impressions? Editor: Stark. There's a directness to the composition that is almost unsettling. The sharp lines surrounding the soft form of the infant... It’s not sentimental; it’s an observation. Curator: Yes, a keen observation imbued with symbolic weight. The child is juxtaposed against what appears to be a large sack or bundle, offering perhaps a small comfort or simply emphasizing their isolation. Foundlings appear in numerous folktales and myths, embodying themes of abandonment, resilience, and hidden origins. Editor: From a formal perspective, observe the skillful use of shading to render the infant's rounded features against the flat plane of the drawing. It grounds the work in reality, lending to its melancholy quality, the very sparse details, the few simple strokes… everything suggests vulnerability. Curator: And the seeming indifference of the urban environment suggested in the backdrop only amplifies that sense. Steinlen, of course, frequently explored themes of social inequality and urban poverty in his work. Notice that what appears at first to be a rough outline becomes filled with immense detail as you adjust your perception. It is Steinlen's use of symbolism married to realistic drawing that produces tension and makes it a compelling emotional study. Editor: Agreed. There's a beautiful tension created by this balance of rough technique and refined feeling. Ultimately, though rendered simply, it’s an empathetic image—a visual question posed by the artist. Curator: Absolutely. It asks us to consider our shared humanity, even within stark and minimalist terms. Editor: A somber note that resonates beyond its lines.