Artwork
In the Rain: Mother and Children (Sous la pluie: La mere et les enfants)
In the Rain: Mother and Children (Sous la pluie: La mere et les enfants) is an ink print by Théophile Alexandre Steinlen. It dates from 1915 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art. Created in 1915, *In the Rain: Mother and Children* is a print by Théophile Alexandre Stein len that combines etching with aquatint.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1915, *In the Rain: Mother and Children* is a print by Théophile Alexandre Stein len that combines etching with aquatint. The work captures a brief moment of a family navigating a rainy street, rendered in Steinlen’s distinctive, expressive line.
Subject & Meaning
The composition shows a mother at the center, bearing a baby on her back while holding a bag, accompanied by two children each with their own satchels. Their heavy coats and the shallow, puddled ground convey the urgency and hardship of daily life in inclement weather, reflecting Steinlen’s interest in ordinary people’s experiences.
Technique & Style
Steinlen employed a mix of etching, drypoint and aquatint to achieve a loose, scratchy quality. The lines vary in density, suggesting movement in the rain‑slicked streets and the texture of wet clothing, while the aquatint provides a muted tonal background that enhances the scene’s cold atmosphere.
History & Provenance
Steinlen, a Swiss‑born artist who worked in France, was active in the early twentieth‑century print market and contributed to anarchist and socialist publications. This 1915 print aligns with his socially aware output, though specific ownership records for this particular impression are limited.
Context
Produced during World War I, the image reflects the broader social concerns of the period, emphasizing the resilience of working‑class families amid adversity. Steinlen’s affiliation with the Art Nouveau movement informs the fluid lines, while his political engagement informs the choice of a modest, urban subject.
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
Le retour au foyer (The Return Home)
Après la saisie (After the Seizure)
Les notables (petite planche) (The Notables) (small plate)
The Distant City (La ville lointaine)
La route d'Emmaüs (1ère planche) (The Road to Emmaus) (first plate)
Refugee Family
Après la saisie (After the Seizure)
Exodus (L'exode)
Coming from School
In the Rain: Mother and Children (Sous la pluie: La mere et les enfants)
Going to work