153 - Théophile Alexandre STEINLEN (1859–1923)

Théophile Alexandre STEINLEN (1859–1923) Croup Claiming the Children Charcoal on paper Signed and inscribed in the upper left corner 24 x 16 cm On the back: “This drawing was made at No. 210 Rue de Mérode in 1912.” Steinlen had come to hold an exhibition of his works at the Vauxhall in Brussels, at the urging of his close friend, the well-known art lover Yvan Lamberty, who was my neighbor and could not accommodate him. Since my pharmacy was vacant—it had never had tenants—it served as his temporary lodging. One day, upon returning home, he saw a distraught mother who had come to get a serum for croup, from which her child was suffering. Steinlen, who was extremely emotional, went up to his room and, in “five seconds,” sketched this symbol of croup claiming children’s lives. What a fine example of this master’s sensitivity! [Illegible signature]” This drawing is cataloged in the Steinlen archives of Ms. Claude Orset and Ms. Elisabeth Marechaux Laurentin. This drawing was created by Théophile Alexandre Steinlen during a trip to Brussels in 1912 and given to the pharmacist (Mr. Manderlier) who was hosting him during that stay.