#08092 Theophile-Alexandre Steinlen

The drawing presents a female figure seated on what appears to be a cushioned chair or chaise lounge. The subject is depicted nude from the waist up, with her legs crossed in a relaxed pose. She wears stockings and slippers, suggesting a domestic setting or a moment of leisure.
Here we see an emphasis on line and texture; the artist employed a vigorous charcoal technique, creating a sense of immediacy and energy. Hatching and cross-hatching are prevalent, particularly in rendering the background and the folds of the chair’s upholstery. This contributes to a slightly rough, unfinished aesthetic. The figures form is rendered with a degree of anatomical accuracy, though softened by the expressive linework.
The woman’s gaze is direct, yet somewhat detached; she looks outward, beyond the viewer, suggesting introspection or perhaps a studied indifference. Her expression is difficult to read definitively – it could be interpreted as melancholic, contemplative, or simply neutral. The dark hair frames her face and adds to the overall somber mood.
Subtly, the presence of stockings introduces an element of eroticism tempered by the domesticity of the setting. It’s not a provocative display but rather a glimpse into a private moment. The drawing seems less concerned with idealizing beauty than with capturing a fleeting impression of a woman in repose. Theres a sense of vulnerability conveyed through her posture and gaze, hinting at an underlying psychological complexity. The unfinished quality of the work contributes to this feeling; it’s as if we are witnessing a private study rather than a polished final piece.