Bouton de Rose 1900

Théophile Alexandre Steinlen made this drawing of a flower girl and a soldier using graphite on paper. Graphite is a readily available material, mass-produced and inexpensive, which makes it suitable for quick sketches and studies like this one. Steinlen has used the material’s inherent qualities to create a range of tonal effects; the smudged areas create atmosphere and depth and the hard lines delineate the figures. The rough texture of the paper also contributes to the overall effect of the drawing. Steinlen was known for his socialist leanings, and his choice of graphite as a medium may reflect his commitment to accessibility and affordability in art. The contrast between the soldier, and the flower girl, highlights issues of labor and class. Here we see the flower girl, likely from a lower class, trying to sell a rosebud to the upper-class soldier. By focusing on the materials, making process, and context of this drawing, we can gain a deeper understanding of its meaning and the social issues it addresses.