Convoy 

Théophile Alexandre Steinlen made this drawing, "Convoy," with blue crayon on paper. It’s a seemingly simple choice of material, but think about what crayon does best: capturing a quick impression. And this is just what Steinlen has done. We see a column of soldiers, burdened with their gear, trudging along with a horse-drawn wagon. The blue monochrome lends a somber, weary feeling to the scene. The marks are raw and immediate. We get the sense of an artist recording what he sees, without embellishment. Look closely, and you’ll see the rapid, repetitive strokes that build up the image. The drawing feels almost like a documentary photograph—but instead of a machine, it’s an individual sensibility that’s capturing the human cost of war. So, next time you see a simple drawing like this, remember that it’s not just about the image. It’s about the artist’s hand, and the way that simple materials can convey powerful emotions.