Les Trois Compagnons 1912

Théophile Alexandre Steinlen made this print, “Les Trois Compagnons,” using etching to render a muted scene of companionship. I imagine Steinlen, bent over the plate, scratching away to make these subtle tones, cross-hatching to build up the darks of the coats and the quiet drama of the figures. The plate has been inked and wiped, leaving traces of the artist’s hand in every shadow. He's trying to say something about the world around him. I think about those three figures huddled together, sharing a moment, maybe a secret, or just the weight of the day. And then there's the lone figure, sitting apart. Is it loneliness, wisdom, or quiet resignation? I can feel the weight of these emotional questions in the image’s stark contrasts. Etching, like painting, embraces the unpredictable. Each mark is a dialogue between artist and material. There’s a conversation happening across time, from Steinlen’s hand to ours.