La chienne au loup

Art Historical Context

**La Chienne au Loup** is a captivating drawing by Théophile Alexandrelen, created in 1900 during the height of Paris's Belle Époque. Measuring approximately 49 x 38.3 cm, this work employs brush and black ink heightened with black and colored chalk showcasing Steinlen's mastery of mixed media on paper. Housed in the National Gallery of Art's Rosen Collection (Department CG-E), it exemplifies the artist's fluid line work and expressive techniques, which brought immediacy and vitality to his subjects. Steinlen, a Swiss-born artist active in Montmartre's bohemian scene, was renowned for his realistic depictions of Parisian life, working-class scenes, and animals—particularly cats, though dogs like the one here appear in his repertoire. Associated with the poster art movement and publications like *Gil Blas Illustré*, his style blended Art Nouveau elegance with social realism. The title, translating to "The Bitch at the Wolf [Hour]," evokes nocturnal mystery, possibly capturing a dog's alert vigilance at dusk, rendered with dynamic ink strokes and subtle chalk highlights for depth and texture. This drawing highlights Steinlen's innovative draftsmanship, bridging illustration and fine art at the turn of the century. Its presence in a premier collection underscores his enduring influence on graphic arts, inviting viewers to appreciate the tender yet fierce spirit of everyday creatures amid fin-de-siècle Paris.

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...