Girls Coming from School (Gamines sortant de l'ecole)

Art Historical Context

**Girls Coming from School (Gamines sortant de l'école)**, a delicate 1911 etching by Théophile Alexandre Steinlen, captures the lively innocence of Parisian schoolgirls emerging from class. Steinlen, a Swiss-born artist who thrived in fin-de-siècle Montmartre, was renowned for his empathetic portrayals of working-class life, children, and urban vignettes. His style blended Realism with Art Nouveau influences, often highlighting the charm and struggles of everyday folk amid Belle Époque Paris. Rendered on a copper plate, this print exemplifies etching's precision: acid etches fine lines into the metal, allowing Steinlen to achieve intricate textures in the girls' uniforms, flowing hair, and bustling street scene. As a master printmaker, he produced affordable editions that democratized art, reflecting his socialist leanings and commitment to the overlooked. Housed in the National Gallery of Art's Rosenwald Collection, this work evokes early 20th-century France on the cusp of World War I—a poignant snapshot of childhood joy amid social change. Visitors will appreciate its tender humanism, inviting reflection on the timeless energy of youth.

About the Artist

Théophile Alexandre Steinlen · 1859–1923

Théophile Alexandre Steinlen, born on November 10, 1859, in Lausanne, Switzerland, hailed from a family with artistic roots; his grandfather, Christian Gottlieb Steinlen, was a painter and draftsman. After two years studying theology at the University of Lausanne, he trained in industrial ornamental drawing in Mulhouse under Schoenhaupt and worked as a designer trainee at a textile mill. Encourage...