Peasant 

Théophile Alexandre Steinlen sketched "Peasant" in ink on paper, capturing a scene likely from rural France. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, France saw significant social stratification and class consciousness. Steinlen, known for his social realism, often depicted the lives of the working class. Here, he presents a lone peasant, dwarfed by the barren tree. The bare branches might symbolize the harsh realities and scarcity of rural life, while the peasant trudging along the rough path suggests the daily grind of agricultural labor. Steinlen's choice of subject matter reflects a broader artistic and political trend. Artists started using their work to comment on social conditions and advocating for the rights of marginalized groups. Analyzing Steinlen's body of work within the context of French social history provides valuable insight into the cultural landscape of his time. Research into agrarian policies, socialist movements, and the role of art in social critique will further illuminate the meaning of this image.