Théophile Steinlen

Théophile Steinlen

Théophile Steinlen was a Swiss artist who lived from 1859 to 1923. He is one of the most well-known Art Nouveau style artists and printmakers to come from the Montmarte art scene. Perhaps his most well-known piece is the poster, “Tournée du Chat Noir”, from 1896. 

Steinlen was born in Lausanne, Switzerland in November 1859. He studied literature and philosophy in college, but dropped out in 1878 to work as a designer trainee at a textile mill in France. In 1883, Steinlen was just beginning to pursue a career as a designer of printed fabrics when he was convinced by fellow artist, François Bocion, to move with his wife, Emilie, to the Montmartre neighborhood of Paris to join other inspiring artists.

Steinlen moved to Montmartre at the right time. It was the golden age of poster art, and in Montmartre, Steinlen befriended other artists, including Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec and Emile Zola. He met Aristide Bruant, a singer at the cabaret, Le Chat Noir, who was also a Swiss ex-pat. Bruant introduced Steinlen to Rodolphe Salis, the owner of Le Chat Noir. Sais commissioned the famous advertisement poster, “Tournée du Chat Noir”, amongst other works. 

In his art, Steinlen drew what he knew. His two major themes were working-class life in the Montmartre quarter of Paris and cats. His work ranged from fine art to graphic design. He created portraits, nudes, and still lifes. His daughter, Colette, was also featured in many of his works. In 1881, after censorship of the press was abolished, political journals and magazines flourished. Steinlen contributed many drawings and illustrations to political publications but did so under a pseudonym. He was an avid socialist and wanted to protect his family and himself.

Steinlen was a true lover of cats and his apartment in Paris was affectionately known as “Cat’s Corner”, as he fed the stray cats in his quarter. As he was starting out, he would exchange cat art for food. His affection for cats is evident from the many portrayals of them in his work. He depicted cats in all forms (at play, rest, lounging, etc.) and across a wide spectrum of mediums, including lithographs, paintings, sculpture, and drawings. Steinlen’s most famous cat piece is undoubtedly the poster ad for a Parisian cabaret, “Tournée du Chat Noir”.

Steinlen produced a large number of illustrations for magazines and other publications and was relatively successful in his lifetime. In 1909, the Salon d’Automne provided Steinlen with his own permanent room to exhibit his art. In 1911, along with several of his friends, he established the paper, Les Humorists. Steinlen was vehemently opposed to the potential outbreak of World War I. He created a number of posters to support his view which focused on the effects that the Great War would have on the poor, women, and children. For fear of retribution, most of his social commentary works were created under the pseudonym, Jean Caillou. 

Théophile Steinlen was a major inspiration for later artists, including Edward Hopper and Pablo Picasso. He worked throughout his life, up until his death from a heart attack in 1923 at 64 years of age. Steinlen is buried in his beloved Montmartre neighborhood. 

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