Artwork
C'est ici, chez nous!
C'est ici, chez nous! is a chalk drawing by Théophile Alexandre Steinlen. It dates from 1916 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
C'est ici, chez nous! is a 1916 black chalk drawing by Théophile Alexandre Steinlen, a Swiss-born French artist associated with Art Nouveau and politically engaged art, particularly through anarchist and socialist publications.
Subject & Meaning
The drawing depicts a gathering of people, with a woman and two children prominently featured in the foreground. The scene conveys a sense of communal everyday life, reflecting Steinlen's focus on socially conscious themes.
Technique & Style
Executed in bold, expressive black chalk lines, the work achieves a sense of depth and texture. The shading imbues the figures with volume, characteristic of Steinlen's skill in capturing form and atmosphere with minimal color.
History & Provenance
Created in 1916, the piece aligns with Steinlen's period of involvement with left-leaning media, though specific provenance details (ownership history) are not provided here.
Context
Emerging during World War I, 'C'est ici, chez nous!' may subtly reflect the era's social anxieties or the resilience of domestic life amidst turmoil, though its direct connection to the war is not explicitly stated.
Legacy
As part of Steinlen's oeuvre, the drawing contributes to the broader legacy of Art Nouveau's intersection with political activism, though its individual impact or exhibition history is not detailed here.
Own this work as a print
Artist & collection
Artist
Théophile Alexandre Steinlen (November 10, 1859 – December 13, 1923), was a Swiss-born French Art Nouveau painter and printmaker. He was politically engaged and collaborated with the anarchist and socialist press.
Refugee Family
Refugees
Civil War (Scene of the Commune of Paris)
Reconquered Territory (recto)
a) Après Douai (After Douai) (recto); b) Figure (verso)
Reconquered Territory (recto) Two Figures on a Road (verso)
The Slavery in the North
The Carriage House (Le wagon-logement)
Les notables
In the Rain: Mother and Children (Sous la pluie: La mere et les enfants)
Untitled
Pour l'homme de demain